Young Mountain Lion Killed Near Leo Carrillo State Park

March 25 incident is described as a hit and run

By Sam Catanzaro

A mountain lion was killed recently by a car on Pacific Coast Highway near Leo Carrillo State Park in Malibu, marking the fourth such incident this year. 

According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the young male puma was around six months old based on its teeth.

The incident, which occurred at 11:10 a.m. on Saturday, March 25, has been described by officials as a “hit and run.” A wildlife conflict specialist responded to the scene and collected the animal for a necropsy.

The animal was not collared and was not being tracked for study by any agency. 

Mountain lions in Los Angeles are facing a growing threat on the city’s roads. A National Parks Service study found that the lions are often hit while trying to cross highways to reach new territories, find mates, or search for prey. Wildlife advocates are calling for increased funding for wildlife crossings and other measures to protect the animals, such as the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing. Spanning 210 feet over 10 lanes of highway and pavement, the bridge will allow wildlife to cross a stretch of the 101 in Liberty Canyon, where around 300,000 cars travel each day. Officials say this crossing will increase connectivity over the most significant barrier to connecting the Santa Monica Mountains to other large natural areas. 

Since 1996, NPS biologists have researched carnivores and other local wildlife in the Santa Monica Mountains and the surrounding region. The project began right in the Liberty Canyon area, with the tracking of bobcats and coyotes, and it expanded to include mountain lions in 2002. Overall, the research has focused on urbanization and habitat fragmentation in wildlife communities. 

The population in the Santa Monica Mountains has one of the lowest levels of genetic diversity in the state or across the west. More recently, biologists have begun to see the physical effects of that low genetic diversity, specifically kinks at the end of tails, a male with only one descended testicle, and poor sperm quality, documented through research conducted by scientists at UCLA. These were all common characteristics linked with inbreeding depression in mountain lions in Florida that nearly went extinct in the early 1990s.

in News
Related Posts

Ruskin Group Theatre to Stage ‘The Fantasticks’

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

A timeless tale of young love and life’s bittersweet beauty, the show is reimagined with modern flair for contemporary audiences...

Hama Sushi Hosts Weekly Music and Comedy Open Mics

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The venue, a Venice Beach staple since 1979, has recently expanded its legendary happy hour to the entire patio Hama...

Big Blue Bus Launches Prohibition Order Program to Bolster Safety

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The orders, which can range from 30 days to one year, target offenses that threaten the safety and comfort of...

12th Annual Gopher Scramble Golf Tournament to Benefit Venice Heritage Museum

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The museum opened to the public in March 2024 at the Main Street Design Center with its inaugural exhibition, “This...

Centenarian Adapts to New Life After Palisades Fire Destroys Home: REPORT

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Calvert, a former continuity scriptwriter for shows like “Star Trek” and “Cheers,” and a badminton hall-of-famer, credits adaptability for her...

Connections Breakfast to Network Local Business Professionals in Malibu

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

The event, sponsored by Malibu Country Mart, will feature a breakfast mixer where attendees can meet new contacts  A Connections...

Third Street Promenade Loses Bibibop Asian Grill

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Bibibop opened at the Santa Monica location in 2017 after taking over a former ShopHouse space. Bibibop Asian Grill, a...

(Video) Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Go To Homefrontbuild.com For More Information @home_front_build Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles Go...

(Video) Gladstone’s Malibu Prepares for Reopening after Surviving Palisades Fires

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

With One Half of its Structure Slightly Charred and Undergoing Repairs, Gladstone’s Malibu is Reopening its Patio Space Just in...

Col. Eric Swenson Honored by LA for Historic Debris Removal Effort

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Swenson, with a distinguished military background including a Ph.D. and multiple master’s degrees from Penn State and other institutions, has...

More Commercial Uses Could Be Coming to RAND Building

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Amendment Unlocks New Opportunities, Secures $5.5 Million in Community Benefits The Santa Monica Planning Commission unanimously approved an amendment to...

(Video) ‘World’s Strongest Man’ Champion Pulls Big Blue Bus for 30 feet

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

World-class strongman Martins Licis pulled a 34,680‑pound, 35-feet long, battery electric bus through the Pier to set off Pier 360...

Proposed Rebuilding Authority for Wildfire Recovery Sparks Local Control Debate

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Plan Aims to Streamline Rebuilding but Raises Questions Over Community Input A proposed “Resilient Rebuilding Authority” to oversee recovery from...

Marquez Students Rebuild Robots Destroyed in Fire, Shine at National and World Competitions

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Community and Coaches Rally Behind Young Innovators Elementary students from Marquez Charter Elementary School rebuilt their robots after they were...

Second Victim Killed Alongside LAPD Sergeant in Brentwood 405 Crash Identified

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Authorities Confirm Garcia, 34, Died at the Scene, GoFundMe Launched  Authorities have identified the civilian who was killed alongside a...