We’re not lyin’ – P-22 was again within the city Silver Lake, Calif. space this weekend
The Los Angeles Occasions experiences that the famed mountain lion (truly a male cougar) recognized by his federal wildlife tag of P-22, was again in closely populated hipster haven Silver Lake, a residential and business part of Los Angeles, for a second go to this week. The realm is extremely city and trafficked, and is positioned a few mile to a mile-and-a-half from P-22’s ordinary Griffith Park area, the place he typically sticks to the excessive mountain nation and isn’t sighted by people.
Whereas the 12-year-old P-22 might be thought-about a harmful wild animal, his celeb standing is unquestioned, and neighbors of the world report his sightings with one thing akin to glee. A Nationwide Geographic picture unfold, led to a 2017 documentary, The Cat That Modified America, a museum exhibit, a youngsters’s coloring guide, and a mural in Watts, an space even additional south in Los Angeles.
P-22 is normally solely seen on safety cameras within the Hollywood Hills, though one memorable go to in 2015 noticed him gap up in a crawlspace within the Los Feliz space, the place officers determined to observe his actions with out interfering along with his go to. He ultimately slipped away with out incident.
The Nationwide Park Service tracks P-22 and different cougars within the Santa Monica Mountains. They reported a P-22 sighting in Silver Lake earlier this month, stating it was “the furthest south he’d ever ventured since dwelling in Griffith Park.” To get to Silver Lake, the lion must traverse some extremely populated areas and busy roads. The Silver Lake Reservoir is a frequent jogging/strolling path for residents.
On Saturday, P-22 was seen heading northbound on Benton Means, a few half-mile beneath the Silver Lake Reservoir. Earlier within the month, he was noticed alongside busy Silver Lake Boulevard earlier than making his solution to Berkeley Circle.
The Nationwide Park Companies advises anybody recognizing P-22 to remain calm, maintain your floor or slowly again away. Don’t run, which might stimulate the necessity to chase (EDITOR: and keep in mind the previous joke about being with somebody when you’re chased: “You don’t should out-run him. You simply should out-run the individual you’re with.”)
Additionally: don’t crouch or bend down, which can make the lion think about your stance as prey. You, nevertheless, are inspired to wish if that occurs.
