KTLA

Memorial hike held in Griffith Park to honor P-22

Angelenos continue to mourn the death of mountain lion P-22, the famous cougar who called Griffith Park home for more than a decade.

On Sunday, a gathering was held at Griffith Park to honor the big cat, who was humanely euthanized due to severe injuries suffered after being hit by a car, as well as various age-related illnesses.


Organizers planned a memorial hike at Griffith Park, where P-22 roamed freely for years.

Hikers met at the Charlie Turner Trailhead at 4 p.m. for a sunset hike and moment of reflection for the “cat that changed America.”

Among those who attended were L.A. City Councilmember Nithya Raman whose district encompasses Griffith Park.

Raman posted about the memorial hike on social media and encouraged Angelenos to carpool or take public transit if interested in attending.

“He was a big gorgeous cat,” Raman told KTLA’s Carlos Saucedo. “He showed up on people’s cameras, he showed up in people’s backyards, he surprised them. I mean he was just so beautiful and I think he really impressed upon people that we live near nature, we live near wildness and he allowed people to have that feeling right at their fingertips and I think there’s nothing like the magic of seeing something that big that beautiful that wild so near you.”