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Mountain lion found dead on Hwy. 118
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More from Local NewsA mountain lion was found dead Thursday on Highway 118 near Simi Valley, and authorities said it was probably hit by a car.
The male lion was found about 8 a.m. near the center divider of Highway 118 just west of Rocky Peak Fire Road, California Department of Transportation spokeswoman Judy Gish said.
The lion was less than 2 years old and weighed about 100 pounds, said Seth Riley, a wildlife biologist with the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Male mountain lions typically start looking to establish their own territory at about 2 years old.
Riley said the lion was not one of the two he's tracking with radio collars. One of them with a collar, however, has crossed Highway 118 at least 11 times, mainly using an underpass beneath the freeway. The large concrete tunnel isn't far from where the dead cat was found.
The problem of mountain lions being trapped by highways is an issue Riley has been studying for years. Although the lion population in the Los Padres National Forest is thought to be robust, cats get trapped in the Santa Monica Mountains, the Simi hills or the Santa Susana Mountains without the ability to return to the national forest.
"The fact is on the 101 and 118, there is almost nowhere left where there is habitat on both sides of the freeway" he said. "It's too bad this guy didn't find the underpass."
The National Park Service collected a blood sample from the dead cat to test for toxins and genetics.
Posted by goldeneye on October 3, 2008 at 6:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Lions are part of our eco-system and they are generally terrified of people.
Posted by Thinkbeforeyoupost on October 3, 2008 at 7:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And now they are scared to death of the freeway! Here kitty kitty:)
Posted by Nosmo_King on October 3, 2008 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Lions are part of our food chain, and generally don't eat people.
Posted by mommainthe805 on October 3, 2008 at 9:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If we were to go hiking in the mountains or trails and come to say a mother mountain lion and cubs, would they attack? I'm just curious because as a teen I would go hiking around sunset with friends and was always afraid of being attacked. curious.
Posted by Thinkbeforeyoupost on October 3, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
mommainthe805; Silly question but, YES! get around any wild animal with young and the mother will think of you as a threat and attack.
Posted by FedUp on October 3, 2008 at 9:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"weighted about 100 pounds".
I kind of thought the STAR would have fixed this editing mistake yesterday. good job STAR!
Posted by USA_ROCKS on October 3, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's our territory now.
Posted by mommainthe805 on October 3, 2008 at 9:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
thinkbeforeyoupost: Thanx for clarifying that my question was "silly". I appreciate that. I guess what I was refering to was that the first couple of posts said that lions were "terrified" of people and didn't generally "eat" people. Just trying to point out that wild animals are wild animals. but thank you.
Posted by tsetsaf on October 3, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sad to hear. To the teen that asked the question about danger - yes they will attack if provoked but if you are traveling in a group they will be long gone before you are in any danger. If you are ever placed in a situation where you feel threatened simply make yourself as big as possible (including putting your hands in the air), shout loudly, and slowly back away from the cat; it will avoid you.
I mountain bike Hummingbird and Rocky Peak all the time at night and have only had problems with coyotes. Mountain lions will leave you alone a pack of coyotes may be more aggressive, as I have experienced in that area.
Posted by Freedom1 on October 3, 2008 at 10:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
tsetsaf - good response. I hike those trails all the time, but usually in the day time. I'm nervous about hiking in these areas at night because I usually hike alone. I'm well aware of the wildlife in those mountains, especially the coyotes. I live at the base of the mountains close to Hummingbird and see plenty of coyotes on our streets, especially in the Spring. Seen fresh signs of mountain lions while hiking up at Sage Ranch and the Los Llamos to Rocky Peak trail.
Posted by nojustice_justus on October 3, 2008 at 10:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Vwhunter: go for a hike with your kids into their/your territory and see who's territory it actually is.
Posted by FedUp on October 3, 2008 at 11:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"wow dgrate... just wow"
they are just trolling. trying to bait someone who hates illegals. typical lefty.
Posted by hisgrl on October 3, 2008 at 11:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
WTF??
Posted by FedUp on October 3, 2008 at 2:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
dgrate - hahahaha. you are so very clever. you bring so much substance to this place. thanks for stopping by.
Posted by brown_eyes on October 3, 2008 at 3:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
poor lion wrong place at the wrong time
Posted by SoSad on October 3, 2008 at 3:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
poor kitty!
Posted by justmeinsp on October 3, 2008 at 4:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i was glad to know that some wild life animals still exist in our county (although this cat didn't fare well) with all the over-priced housing and shopping malls taking over their turf...
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