Research overview: urban pumas, P-22, and coexistence in the Los Angeles area

This overview examines research on pumas persisting in and around the urbanised landscapes of southern California, epitomised by P-22, the mountain lion that lived for years in Los Angeles's Griffith Park. It synthesises telemetry studies documenting how freeways fragment populations, cause roadkill and inbreeding in the Santa Monica Mountains, and force pumas into perilous proximity to people. The literature covers rodenticide exposure, the famous wildlife crossing built to reconnect habitat, and the largely benign coexistence punctuated by rare pet-depredation incidents. The survey frames urban pumas as a high-profile case study in connectivity, public engagement, and the infrastructure solutions needed for big cats to survive amid sprawl.