P-022 celebrates 10 years in Griffith PArk

As the tenth anniversary of P-022’s discovery in Griffith park, this last weekend was a good time to celebrate everything he stands for. A poster boy for mountain lions and the soon to be constructed wildlife crossing over the 101 freeway, he deserves the accolade of being called the Brad Pitt of pumas. However, with all he has survived in his extraordinary life, at around 12 years of age, we view him as a dignified statesman of the mountain lion world.  

This mountain lion crossed three freeways as a youngster to reach the park and establish his tiny home territory in Griffith Park, an oasis of green space in the middle of the city. At eight square miles, it’s much smaller than the typical territory of a male mountain lion. He also survived a dose of rodenticide poisoning. Having been cured by National Park Service biologists, he now lives a lonely but well-fed life in Griffith Park. And that’s OK, as mountain lions are solitary creatures for most of their lives. With no other male pumas in the vicinity, and as long as he keeps away from roads, he has a reasonable chance of surviving a few more years yet. 

More on his story: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/feb/13/los-angeles-mountain-lion-griffith-park

Find out more here about how we support wildlife research in the Santa Monica Mountains www.samofund.org/our-wildlife

More about the wildlife crossing: savelacougars.org

Break the Poison Chain: www.samofund.org/break-the-poison-chain

P-022 before and after being treated for rodenticide poisoning