quote:

P-32: Mountain lion who crossed the 101 killed crossing I-5

The only male mountain lion known to leave the Santa Monica Mountains and enter the more contiguous forests to the north, was struck dead earlier this week on Interstate 5, according to officials.

Puma 32 or P-32, as he was known, made headlines last April when he managed to cross the 101 Freeway, allowing him to possibly mate with females outside of his family.

On his journey, P-32 also managed to make it across State Route 23, Highway 118 and Highway 126. Crossing the I-5 however, proved fatal.

Based on GPS data from the large cat's radio collar, he was likely hit between 4 and 6 a.m. Monday.

His body appeared to have a broken leg and significant internal bleeding.

"I think he probably died fairly quickly,” said National Park Service ecologist Justin Brown.

At approximately 21 months old, P-32 was considered a juvenile and was likely fleeing stronger, aggressive males who were guarding their territory in the Santa Monica Mountains.

“This case illustrates the challenges that mountain lions in this region face, particularly males,” said Dr. Seth Riley, a wildlife ecologist with Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

“P-32 conquered all kinds of freeways and highways to reach the Los Padres, but it was probably another dominant male that made him leave the area and attempt one last crossing, which obviously was not successful,” he said in a press release.

Scientists have been studying pumas in the area since 2002, and P-32 was tagged at four weeks of age.

His sister, P-33, also crossed the 101 freeway earlier this year.

Perhaps the most famous mountain lion in Southern California is P-22 who currently lives in Griffith Park, crossing the 405 and the 101 to get there.

He is the only known male mountain lion born in the Santa Monica Mountains that has survived into adulthood, but his dispersal is not considered successful because he is isolated with no potential mates in Griffith Park.

Inbreeding is a big problem for the lions of the Santa Monica Mountains, according to researchers. They are genetically hemmed in by freeways and urban sprawl. In fact, P-32 was the product of in-breeding.

Crossing from their native areas to new territories is crucial for the animals long term survival, however California freeways continue to be a deadly impediment.

P-32 is the 12th mountain lion killed on a freeway or road since 2002.

Conservationists have called for a wildlife crossing over the 101 Freeway to help alleviate this problem, but even this solution wouldn't completely eliminate the possibility of animals being hit by cars and trucks.

Biologists examined P-32's body to learn about his health and whether or not the animal was exposed to rat poison.

They found that overall, before his death, P-32 seemed to be in good health.

Nooner posted:

Why does no one care about P-32? Is it because you cant get all indignant about him being killed by a successful white man?

Moridin920 posted:

though you'd have to be a loving moron to hit a mountain lion on I5

Moridin920 posted:

because it was accidental?

Jeffrey of YOSPOS posted:

it's pretty funny to imagine animals having personalities like in the land before time or something, only instead of the great valley they just need to get across a few LA freeways, and they still can't

Melmac posted:

I think it has more to do with the fact that when a dirt-poor homeless guy from Zimbabwe does it it's a bit more easy to accept than when it is done by an affluent, educated American who spends the average person's yearly salary for the privilege to do it (and then gloats and smiles in pictures with its carcass). That's what I would assume the difference is, anyway.

Moridin920 posted:

because it was accidental? also I don't think mountain lions are particularly endangered

though you'd have to be a loving moron to hit a mountain lion on I5

Ramsus posted:

grrr i'm so mad that i do nothing to help wildlife conservation and then these rich white men spend 50-400k on hunting animals in africa which goes towards conservation in a similar way that it has been successfully been regulated in the states for decades

big dumb idiots that dont' understand how when the value of an animal is suddenly 50-400k the countries that have them will want lots of them to auction off which saves the populations

Ramsus posted:

Pick posted:

Hans Kruuk famously studied lion kills by walking up to lions eating while clapping his hands and they'd run away so he could take a look.

Jeffrey of YOSPOS posted:

it's pretty funny to imagine animals having personalities like in the land before time or something, only instead of the great valley they just need to get across a few LA freeways, and they still can't

Ramsus posted:

neither are lions in africa ya dingus

Melmac posted:

Wow so this rich guy who kills lions is actually saving them, makes u think.

Actually, supposedly less than 3% of the money spent goes towards conservation so good job reading a talking point put out by someone who hunts giraffes or whatever.

And do I donate decent amounts of money and plenty of volunteer time for animals tyvm

Ramsus posted:

grrr i'm so mad that i do nothing to help wildlife conservation and then these rich white men spend 50-400k on hunting animals in africa which goes towards conservation in a similar way that it has been successfully been regulated in the states for decades

big dumb idiots that dont' understand how when the value of an animal is suddenly 50-400k the countries that have them will want lots of them to auction off which saves the populations

LethalGeek posted:

I'm really happy that guy's life got ruined without any actual violence happening to him. I don't have to feel sorry for him at all

Ramsus posted:

grrr i'm so mad that i do nothing to help wildlife conservation and then these rich white men spend 50-400k on hunting animals in africa which goes towards conservation in a similar way that it has been successfully been regulated in the states for decades

big dumb idiots that dont' understand how when the value of an animal is suddenly 50-400k the countries that have them will want lots of them to auction off which saves the populations

Fojar38 posted:

the dentist contributed more to the world than the lion did just sayin

Melmac posted:

FIRST TIME posted:

gently caress that guy

Triple A posted:

are people still livid over that stupid lion?

Daedra posted:

If I could go back in time I would a gun and kill Cecil first by attaching some steaks to the mirrors of a Honda accord

Universe Master posted:

how much to shoot a baby elephant with a hellfire missile?

corpuscollossus posted:

I've just realised that Cecil really didn't make much of a contribution like scraping plaque off fat midwestern children so I'm slowly coming to terms

Clemocracy posted:

Looks like he does quality work. Would hire if i needed his services. I wouldnt hire the lion as it sleeps all day and murders villagers and livestock when its awake

Melmac posted:

Wow so this rich guy who kills lions is actually saving them, makes u think.

quote:

As condemnation spread across social media, several airlines announced that they would stop transporting parts of certain animals killed in trophy hunts. The carriers included Delta, American and United, airlines headquartered in the United States, the biggest source by far of trophy hunters in Africa.

The governments of South Africa and Namibia, a country regarded as a model for hunting programs that benefit local communities, decried the moves.

“This will be the end of conservation in Namibia,” the country’s environment and tourism minister, Pohamba Shifeta, said last week, according to the Namibia Press Agency.

corpuscollossus posted:

What's the over under on Pohamba Shifeta living in a house built by trophy money?

Chinatown posted:

how much money do i need to donate to local shelters to be able to legally slice the local homeless dudes throat completely open and then take photos of his dismembered corpse and post them on Facebook?