For ten years he had roamed Hollywood, attracting the fascination and adoration of the residents of this Los Angeles neighborhood, who nicknamed him the “Hollywood Cat” because he generally behaved like a plucky alley cat. The 12-year-old puma, named P-22, sadly had to be euthanized on December 17, news that deeply saddened local residents.
He appeared in this area in 2012 after arriving alone from the Santa Monica Mountains, which bisected the city of Los Angeles. P-22 had therefore taken all the risks, crossing two of the main void freeways, explains NPR. Spotted not far from the famous letters that spell the word Hollywood, he made himself known for having it rat poison survivor in 2014, for taking refuge under a house in the neighborhood in 2015 and for eating a koala in 2016.
The P-22 spent most of its time cruising through Griffith Park, one of the largest urban parks in North America. It was near this park that the authorities finally ended his freedom on December 8. It must be said that the feline has begun to approach park visitors too frequently; although this type of puma generally does not attack humans, concern grew, especially starting with the P-22 he had killed a chihuahua in November.
Fatal collision
Another element hastened the decision to capture the puma: its alarming state of health, following a recent collision with a vehicle. “P-22 is not responsible for the situation, nor is the driver who hit him”To explain California Department of Wildlife (CDFW), who adds that sooner or later it had to happen. “It emphasizes the need to build passageways for wild animals to traverse and thoughtful spaces for them to roam.”
After examining the cougar, a medical team from the San Diego Zoo and CDFW officials announced Saturday that euthanizing the P-22 was the only course of action. “The results of tests and analyzes show significant trauma to the skull, right eye and some internal organs, we can read in a press release, and these would require surgery.
But due to P-22’s advanced age (12 years, longer than the average life of a mountain lion, which is 10 years), he also suffered from other ailments (infections, arthritis, kidney disease), it was decided to shorten the animal’s suffering and put an end to its singular existence. The Wikipedia page dedicated to him has already done so been updated.
