Los Angeles to Erect Sculpture Honoring Mountain Lion P-22

The city of Los Angeles is set to memorialize its most famous mountain lion, known as P-22, with a permanent bronze sculpture to be installed in Griffith Park. This 4,200-acre (1,700-hectare) urban park was the primary habitat for the cougar, which became a national symbol of urban wildlife coexistence. P-22, identified by biologists with the number designation, rose to prominence after a widely circulated photograph captured him in Griffith Park with the iconic Hollywood sign visible in the background. This image, taken by photographer Steve Winter, highlighted the unique presence of a large predator thriving within a major metropolitan area.

P-22's journey into Griffith Park remains a subject of fascination for wildlife researchers and the public. He is believed to have crossed two major freeways, the 101 and the 405, to reach the park, a remarkable feat for a wild animal. His presence in the park for over a decade allowed for extensive study by the National Park Service's Greater Los Angeles Area Mountain Lion Project. This project, which began in 2002, aims to understand the ecology and behavior of mountain lions in the Santa Monica Mountains and surrounding areas, a region fragmented by urban development. P-22's genetic isolation within the park also presented unique challenges and research opportunities regarding inbreeding depression in isolated populations.

In late 2022, P-22 began showing signs of declining health, including weight loss and neurological issues, which were attributed to potential poisoning from consuming prey that had ingested rat poison. Following these observations, the mountain lion was captured by wildlife officials. After a thorough veterinary examination, it was determined that P-22 was suffering from severe health problems, including kidney failure and a parasitic infestation, leading to the difficult decision for his euthanasia in December 2022. His remains were subsequently transferred to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County for scientific study and potential future exhibition, ensuring his legacy would continue to contribute to scientific understanding.

The decision to erect a sculpture in Griffith Park serves as a public tribute to P-22's unique story and his role in raising awareness about the challenges and possibilities of wildlife living alongside human populations. The initiative reflects the deep connection many Angelenos felt with the elusive cat, who became a symbol of the wildness that persists even in densely populated urban environments. The sculpture aims to commemorate his life and encourage continued dialogue and action regarding urban wildlife conservation and habitat connectivity in the Los Angeles region.