LA's Unlikely Wildlife Ambassador - The legacy of P-22

Los Angeles' celebrity mountain lion P-22 inspired the creation of the world's largest wildlife overpass

LOS ANGELES - The story sounds like a Disney movie plot: A mountain lion trapped by LA freeways and unable to find a mate becomes locally famous and inspires the construction of the world's largest wildlife overpass. But for P-22, the legendary LA cougar, it was reality.

The $100 million Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, currently under construction, will span eight lanes of Highway 101 in Agoura Hills when completed in 2025. The goal is to provide a safe passage for mountain lions and other animals separated by the bustling freeway bisecting their habitat in the Santa Monica Mountains.

The unlikely tale began over a decade ago when P-22, whose celebrity-inspired nickname referenced his tracking collar ID, took up residence in LA's Griffith Park, just a few miles from the Hollywood sign. His home range was a fraction of normal - just eight square miles compared to over 100 for most male cougars.

Despite the constrained territory, the mountain lion coexisted remarkably well with humans for over 10 years in the park surrounded by urban sprawl. LA residents would spot him roaming the hillsides and share photos in wonder, rather than fear. His growing celebrity even attracted the attention of Hollywood stars like Leonardo DiCaprio.

According to Beth Pratt, California Director of the National Wildlife Federation, Angelenos saw him as a neighbor, not a menace. “Whether you’re [living in] Beverly Hills, whether you’re [living in] Watts, we all come together over wildlife,” she said.

Pratt explained how residents of Watts, a low-income area of LA, also related to P-22 as a symbol of social justice impacted by the freeways dividing communities. His predicament resonated across economic lines.

With P-22 unable to find a mate or offspring of his own, Pratt led efforts over the years to fundraise for a wildlife crossing to connect the fragmented habitats. Major donations came from celebrities like DiCaprio and philanthropist Wallis Annenberg, who gifted $25 million.

Engineers researched the optimal location for two decades. The selected site incorporates barriers to light and sound to create a calming atmosphere that won't deter animals. Nearby plant nurseries are growing native vegetation to cover the crossing in a fire-resistant ecosystem.

By allowing animals to bypass the busy 101 freeway, experts estimate the crossing could prevent over 2 million animal deaths per year in the US. Wildlife crossings first emerged in France in the 1950s and have succeeded elsewhere, including with unexpected species like koalas in Australia.

Now, over 10 years since P-22 took up residence in Griffith Park, the wildlife overpass inspired by his plight is on track for completion in 2025. Tragically, P-22 passed away in late 2022 at the age of 12, exceeding the typical lifespan of wild mountain lions. However, Pratt said, “he used his celebrity for good” by bringing attention to the need for safe passage across fragmented habitats.

The massive scale of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, spanning 210 feet wide and 165 feet long, will allow entire ecosystems to take root on top. Mountain lions, bobcats, butterflies, and reptiles will traverse native vegetation pre-grown to match the landscape.

While P-22 won't get to personally use the overpass made possible by his fame, Pratt says he paved the way for future generations of mountain lions in Los Angeles. The unlikely story of a Hollywood celebrity cougar highlights how even the most urban communities can come together to co-exist with local wildlife.