Park Science

Mountain Lions in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

Urbanization eliminates natural habitat and fragments what remains, presenting particular challenges for wide-ranging species such as mammalian carnivores. In much of western North America, mountain lions represent perhaps the ultimate challenge for carnivore conservation in urban landscapes. Since 2002, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area has been studying the behavior, ecology, and conservation of mountain lions (Puma concolor) in and around the Santa Monica Mountains, west of the city of Los Angeles, through the use of GPS radio-collars. Although habitat quality and prey populations appear to be sufficient, based on home range sizes the Santa Monica Mountains and other remaining blocks of open space in the region are too small, on their own, to preserve viable mountain lion populations. Thus, it is critical that mountain lion movement occur between these habitat blocks and across freeway barriers, particularly for young dispersing animals. We have documented movement by lions across one freeway, but as of yet no movement across the largest and busiest road (101 Freeway). Based on microsatellite genotypes, the lions in this area are less genetically diverse than those in other areas throughout the state. Successful mountain lion conservation in this type of urban landscape will depend on effective connectivity between larger areas of open space, minimizing human caused mortality, and a continued lack of conflict between mountain lions and humans.