So, after a busy couple of weeks away from the blog, what better way to return than with a great story about nature persisting, and hopefully enduring in the midst of our urban context. The LA Times reported that a litter of three mountain lions was discovered in Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area!
The Santa Monica Mountains welcomed a litter of three mountain lions, officials announced today.
According to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, the kittens were discovered on May 26 near Peter Strauss Ranch. Two are female and one is male, according to a news release.
"Each mountain lion kitten has been implanted with a tracking device that will allow researchers to follow the kittens’ movement," according to the recreation area. "This is the first urban mountain lion study that has had the opportunity to track mountain lion kittens from such a young age. National Park Service researchers will study the new litter to see if the male mountain lion kitten will attempt to disperse to more expansive habitat when he matures, and if the females will have litters of their own in the future."
Officials say it marks only the second time officials have documented a litter of mountain lions in the Santa Monica Mountains. The first was in the summer of 2004.
Great news, and an incredible opportunity to learn more about the migration patterns of mountain lions. Like many large range predators, mountain lions have suffered a lot of negative consequences due to expanding urban areas throughout the southwest. Hopefully this discovery provides both a positive sign for mountain lion populations, and a chance to improve our ability to protect and accommodate mountain lion habitat more successfully. And, baby mountain lion pictures in the daily news cycle are always a good thing.
(Image from LA Times. All Rights Reserved.)
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