Bobcat Killed by Car in Santa Monica Mountains

B-363 second large cat to be struck by vehicle in September 

By Sam Catanzaro

Another large cat in the Santa Monica mountains has died after being hit by a car, the second bobcat or mountain lion to fall victim to such a fate in September. 

“We are sorry to report that B-363, an adult male bobcat who was caught earlier this year and collared in an unburned area of Westlake Village, was hit by a car and killed on Kanan Road recently,” said Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Ranger Ana Beatriz Cholo on September 26. 

B-363 was one of seven bobcats caught during last year’s trapping season, which ended in February 2019. 

“This handsome kitty’s movement pattern was interesting and somewhat unusual from what our researchers usually observe. For one, he was really into hanging out in suburban spaces. His GPS points showed that he was often found in and around landscaped backyards as opposed to nearby open spaces that had recently burned. He was likely doing normal bobcat things like hunting rabbits,” Cholo said. 

“He was really into hanging out in suburban spaces. His GPS points showed that he was often found in and around landscaped backyards as opposed to nearby open spaces that had recently burned.”

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Ranger Ana Beatriz Cholo

According to the National Park Service (NPS), there are a lot of hazards for bobcats who live on the edge of urban spaces. With an increased road network, bobcats face the danger of getting hit by vehicles while trying to move between patches of habitat. As animals spend more time in urban areas, the transmission of diseases from domesticated animals to wild animal populations can also be a problem. Exposure to rodenticide poisons is another challenge to urban wildlife as homeowners try to control rodent populations.

“We have been continuously studying and radio-tracking bobcats in targeted areas since 1996, making it the longest-running bobcat study. Prior to 2002, they had relatively high survival rates in the study area but that has been changing over the past 16 years,” Cholo said. 

On September 7, mountain lion P-61 was struck and killed on the 405 Freeway in the Sepulveda Pass. The four-year-old cat had crossed the massive 10-lane freeway near the Sepulveda Pass area just a couple of months ago.

Related Posts

Santa Monica College to Perform “Seussical (Theatre for Young Audiences)”

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The 75-minute family-friendly musical, set in the Jungle of Nool, follows Horton the elephant as he protects a speck of...

Congressman Secures $14.5M for Westside, San Fernando Valley Projects

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The initiatives address wildfire mitigation, public safety, housing, and community services Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) announced that a key...

California Sues Trump Administration Over High-Speed Rail Funding Cut

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Newsom described the move as a “heartless attack on the Central Valley,” threatening jobs and livelihoods Governor Gavin Newsom announced...

Venice Family Clinic Slams HHS Funding Restrictions as Assault on Immigrants

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

HHS announced on July 10 that it would restrict access to programs like community health centers, Head Start, and other...

Former Hammer Museum Director Receives Getty Prize, Awards $500,000 to NPR

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Philbin’s tenure at the Hammer saw the launch of the Hammer Projects series and the Made in L.A. biennial, alongside...

Salt & Straw Celebrates Ice Cream Week with Strawberry Shortcake Waffle Cone Through the Weekend

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The item launched nationwide, available with any ice cream flavor or as an exclusive sundae featuring Strawberry Honey Balsamic ice...

LAX Metro Transit Center Boosts K Line Ridership, Overall Metro Sees Slight Decline

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The station completes the K Line, allowing continuous service from Expo/Crenshaw Station to Redondo Beach and enhancing regional connectivity through...

City Launches Free RAMP Webinar for Small Businesses

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The online event aims to help small businesses tap into procurement opportunities across Southern California through the RAMP platform The...

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays at...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Controversial Rebuilding Authority Delayed by Sen. Allen

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The pause follows concerns raised weeks ago when the proposal sought to create an agency run by political appointees to...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

Fire Survivors Urged to Shape Rebuilding Efforts with Digital Feedback Platform

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The initiative, launched in February, marks California’s first large-scale use of a dedicated digital tool to gather wildfire survivor feedback...

Comments
Leave a Reply