Famous Griffith Park Mountain Lion Shacks Up in Mansion's Crawl Space

Updated at 11:30 p.m.: P-22, the mountain lion who was collared and has been living in the Santa Monica Mountains and Hollywood Hills for the past several years, was found stuck in a crawl space of a Los Feliz home today.

He was found by home security technicians who saw him while installing equipment in the home, Jason Archinaco, who owns the four-story home below the Greek Theatre with his wife, told NBC4.

City animal control officials called the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for assistance.

They used a variety of measures, including a tennis ball launcher, in an attempt to coax the wildcat out of the crawl space, without success.

The eviction efforts ended around 10 p.m., with Fish and Wildlife officials telling reporters at the scene they would leave P-22 in peace, and sprinkle flour by the crawl space entry to monitor his movements.

“We’re going to let everything calm down and give him some time to get out of there,” the department’s Janice Mackey said.

For the moment, P-22 appears to be happy in his cozy surroundings.

“This is like the Ritz Carlton for mountain lions,” homeowner Paula Archinaco said.

No one is sure how long the animal has been in the home.

P-22 was given a collar about a year ago and has grown in that time, a Griffith Park ranger told NBC4. The animal is at least 150 pounds, according to Jason Archinaco.

P-22 “has become more noticeable, he’s bigger. He’s probably looking for a mate,” the ranger said.

P-22 has been treated for poisoning and mange.

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• City News Service
• Photo Credit: KTLA Screengrab