Tuesday, October 21, 2014

California looks to build $4 million mountain lion freeway overpass

Several male mountain lions have been killed trying to get across a log-jammed freeway to breed

There are thought to be 100,000 mountain lions in North America
There are thought to be 100,000 mountain lions in North America Photo: Alamy
Conservationists are trying to raise $4 million to build a special freeway overpass for mountain lions in Los Angeles. A population of the rare and secretive big cats live in the Santa Monica Mountains but are split in two by the city's busy 101 freeway. There is a shortage of males and that has led to inbreeding on both sides of the road, with several males being killed as they try to make the dangerous crossing to breed. 
Only one big cat - known by it's tracking name P12 - is known to have successfully negotiated the ever increasing traffic in recent years. "He (P12) came from the north and had a lot of genetic material that was new," National Park Service wildlife ecologist Seth Riley told NPR. "Fortunately not only did he survive, but he then became a dominant breeding male. "Our real hope is to have an overpass across 101. No one in 1950 was thinking about getting wildlife across roads when the freeway was built." The overpass would be a bridge carpeted with trees and grass to make it look like forest.
The California Department of Transportation applied to the US fedeal government for a $2 million grant to help build the bridge but was turned down. Now, local campaigners are trying to raise the money independently. The cause received support after a three-year-old mountain lion made it into the nearby city of Santa Monica in 2012 only to be shot dead by a police officer.

There are an estimated 100,000 mountain lions in North America, mostly living in western regions, but they are elusive and rarely seen.

source

No comments: