Known as the"Hollywood Cat,'' P-22 became the face of the NPS' lion-tracking effort. His exploits were documented in various media accounts, including the freeway crossings, hiding out under a Los Feliz home in a
Officials again noted the facial injury Saturday, but said the most serious issue was a herniation of the lion's abdominal organs into his chest, along with significant pre-existing illnesses that were causing him to deteriorate, including"irreversible kidney disease, chronic weight loss, extensive parasitic skin infection over his entire body and localized arthritis.''
Officials hope the completion of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing project near Agoura Hills will dramatically improve conditions for the region's sparse mountain lion population. The crossing will span over 10 lanes of the Ventura Freeway in Liberty Canyon when completed in 2025, and aims to provide a connection between the small population of mountain lions in the Santa Monica Mountains and the larger and genetically diverse populations to the north.
RIP P-22