Mountain Lion P-32 Struck, Killed on I-5

P-32 is the 12th cougar found dead on LA-area roads since a study began in 2002.

A young mountain lion that crossed roads and freeways to reach a new home north of Los Angeles has died under the wheels of a car.

The National Park Service says the cougar, known to researchers as P-32, died Monday morning on Interstate 5 near Castaic. He was less than 2 years old.

Male mountain lions require lots of land. Experts say in April another male probably forced P-32 out of the Santa Monica Mountains, which is ringed by urban barriers.

P-32 initially crossed a freeway and three highways to reach Los Padres National Forest -- a 50-mile journey. He's the 12th cougar found dead on LA-area roads since a study began in 2002.

One lion who made it, P-22, lives in Griffith Park in the middle of Los Angeles.

Copyright The Associated Press
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