2 Mountain Lion Kittens Killed On LA County Roads Ahead Of Wildlife Crossing Debut: Report

CALABASAS, CA — Wildlife conservationists are mourning the deaths of two young mountain lions that were struck and killed by vehicles in Los Angeles County within just three days, underscoring the dangers wild animals face while crossing Southern California freeways.

KTLA reported that a male mountain lion kitten believed to be about six months old was hit and killed near Las Virgenes and Lost Hills roads in Calabasas on May 16. Two days later, a female kitten less than a year old was struck and killed on Mulholland Drive east of the 405 Freeway.

Conservationists said the female cougar was especially significant because few mountain lions have been documented east of the 405 in the Hollywood Hills over the past two decades.

The deaths come before the scheduled opening of the $114 million Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in Agoura Hills later this year. The bridge is designed to help animals safely cross the 101 Freeway and reduce deadly vehicle collisions.

The project was inspired in part by P-22, the late, famed mountain lion that crossed both the 101 and 405 freeways before living in Griffith Park for more than a decade.

“These are magnificent animals,” Beth Pratt of the National Wildlife Federation told KTLA. “They should be out roaming the hills, not mangled on the side of the road after being hit by tons of steel.”

Read more at KTLA

SEE ALSO:

• Video Shows Lion Stalked By Larger Lion Before Fatal 405 Crossing
• LA's Famed Traffic-Dodging Lion P-22 Hit By Car, Witnesses Say
• LA Woman Finds Lion Staring Down From Her Avocado Tree
• Griffith Park Mountain Lion Suspected in Mauling Death of Koala at LA Zoo​