Did You Know ...
Until the late 1990's, there was no documented proof that Mountain Lions still existed in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area?
Historically, cougars were known to roam the mountains and a number of
claimed "sightings" were on record; but only with the last decade and a half
have lions actually been "captured" on film by park scientists. Since then, a number of mountains lions have been humanely trapped and fitted with breakaway tracking devices to document their movements and habits.
Among the Fund's most active programs is support for the conservation and understanding of the large predators in the Santa Monica Mountains, namely the mountain lions, coyotes and bobcats. While coyotes are present in good number, the future of mountain lions and bobcats is far less certain and the Fund is actively working with park biologists and researchers to learn what we need to know to protect these magnificent animals. Clear evidence from environments world-wide shows that when the large predators are lost, the balance of life is severely disrupted and the diversity of other plants and animals begins an accelerated decline. Conserving the large predators here is a key test for all Angelinos to see if we can live in harmony with the natural world.
For an exciting look at the mountain lion and
bobcat research that's going on as well as a virtual day-to-day account from
one of the principal biologists conducting this work, we urge you to follow
the link below to the Urban Carnivore site. The Santa Monica Mountains
Fund is proud to be the financial source that allows this research to occur.
If you are sufficiently inspired to contribute your support, the site will
give you a chance to return to our donation page. Please, visit
Urban Carnivores and then
return once more to our site.
--- The Board and Staff of the Santa Monica Mountains Fund
