In late 2022, Los Angeles and nature lovers mourned the death of P-22, a mountain lion famous for making Griffith Park his home.
But a year and a half later, a new cougar has been spotted in the park and in the nearby Hollywood Hills, according to videos posted on social media.
The puma is not tagged, meaning not only does it lack a naming designation like P-22 (the 22nd puma captured in a study), but officials and the public also lack basic knowledge about the creature, including its age, gender and how it ended up in Griffith Park.
Researchers are hoping to learn more soon, and coincidentally, if this cat is the next captured, its new moniker would be P-122, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Beth Pratt of the National Wildlife Federation told the Times that when she learned of the new sighting, “it felt like P-22 had sent someone back to us,” and she appreciated the appropriateness of this cat’s possible new name.
“I’m a scientist at heart, but there is something almost mystical about this,” she said.
Officials remind the public that if you see a mountain lion, you should act in specific ways to protect yourself and those around you:
- Stay calm, hold your ground or back away slowly while facing the lion and remaining upright
- Do not approach the puma
- Do not run away
- Do not crouch or bend over
- If the mountain lion moves toward you or acts aggressively, do your best to appear intimidating, including by waving your arms and speaking firmly in a loud voice
- If the lion still won’t leave, throw sticks and rocks in its direction, but do not aim directly at the animal
- If the lion continues toward you, try to strike the creature with sticks and rocks
- If all else fails, fight back
- Afterward, report all sightings and encounters to the National Park Service at 415-464-5170
