Mountain Lions Publication

Mountain Lions in the Santa Monica Mountains have to navigate a difficult world for survival. Not only are their gene pools shrinking as populations become more isolated by busier roads and human activities, but they are also under threat from the use of anticoagulants as pest controls. In addition they are under threat from habitat loss and more frequent, and fiercer wildfires.

One fire in particular, the Woolsey Fire from 2018, has affected Mountain Lions behavior in ways that are threatening their survival. To avoid the burn areas, lions are travelling further, and taking more risks in crossing busy highways.

The UCLA researchers have published their study on the effect of the aftermath of the Woolesy Fire on Mountain Lions.

You can find the study in Current Biology (Citation: Blakey et al. 2022. Current Biology 32, 4762-4768)