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