The “Cat of Hollywood,” P-22, a mountain lion, was put to death on Saturday, leading Angelenos to mourn the illustrious feline.
The mountain lion’s demise was caused by a combination of health issues and injuries, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), which made announcement. They said they and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park team conducted extensive tests on P-22 and discovered this information.
The thorough examination included a physical examination, organ function tests, a check for infectious diseases, ultrasound, and computed tomography (CT) images of the chest, abdomen, and head, according to CDFW authorities.
P-22 had been captured in a backyard of a Los Feliz home, and there had been speculation that he could have been struck by a car. The P-22’s skull, right eye, and internal organs showed evidence of “severe” damage during the wildlife team from Safari Park’s assessment, which led them to conclude that the injuries were consistent with those sustained in a car collision.
The CDFW said, “The damage to his internal organs would require extensive surgical correction.” A comprehensive examination also revealed that P-22 had a parasitic skin infection that encompassed its entire body, along with other ailments like prolonged weight loss, localized arthritis, and irreversible renal failure.
In addition to state and municipal officials, Los Angeles grieved the loss of P-22 on Saturday. Governor Gavin Newsom referred to the cat as “iconic” and emphasized steps that had been done to try to avoid injuries similar to those that P-22 may have sustained. The Safe Roads and Wildlife Protection Act, which required Caltrans to address concerns with animal corridors, was also enacted by the state’s legislature, allocating $100 million for wildlife crossings.
According to Governor Newsom, “P-22’s survival on a wilderness island in the middle of Los Angeles enthralled people across the world and rekindled efforts to safeguard our unique native species and ecosystems.” “The legendary mountain lion’s remarkable voyage inspired a new era of nature conservation and restoration, notably through the construction of Liberty Canyon’s biggest wildlife bridge. We’ll keep fighting to conserve California’s priceless natural legacy for future generations by forming creative alliances and implementing methods to restore essential habitats across the state.
Mountain lion P-22 was initially photographed by the non-profit conservation organization Friends of Griffith Park in 2012, alerting the public to the presence of the cougar in Griffith Park.
President of Friends of Griffith Park Gerry Hans issued a statement saying, “This is a sad chapter to complete.” “He was chosen to stand in for the nature that still exists in Griffith Park and to demonstrate how people and wild animals can coexist in a city environment. He showed us that animals, including apex predators, have a place in nature, even living side by side with residents of this big metropolis. P-22 performed it for over ten years.
Before settling at Griffith Park, P-22 is said to have traveled 50 miles and lived for a while in the Santa Monica Mountains.
Several Los Angelenos met at the Charlie Turner Trailhead wearing P-22 shirts and sweaters to pay their respects to the cougar. Nithya Raman, a member of the Los Angeles City Council, coordinated a memorial trek.
