Beloved freeway-crossing mountain lion found dead following California fire

It’s hard out there for a smart cat in a dumb world. 

The National Park Service confirmed on Dec. 7 that a mountain lion, widely known for his ability to safely navigate the treacherous freeways of Southern California, was found dead following the Woolsey Fire. The “Culvert Cat,” as he was affectionately referred to, was discovered by a National Park Service biologist on Dec. 3 — after the fire had been contained — with burnt paws. 

While the exact cause of death remains unknown, the possible effects of it are not. P-64, as the four-year old cat was officially designated, had previously given researchers hope that his travels might help end a human environment-abetted problem of inbreeding among mountain lions in the region. As it stands, reports KPCC, researchers fear that the mountain lions could go extinct in the area within 50 years.  Read more…

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