The Growing Threats Facing California’s Mountain Lions

Mountain lions across California are facing growing threats that endanger their long- term survival. In six isolated regions including the Santa Monica Mountains, these apex predators are struggling against habitat fragmentation, deadly highway crossings, genetic isolation and widespread rodenticide poisoning.

Urban expansion and major freeways have fragmented once-connected habitats into isolated pockets. Highways like the 101 not only block mountain lions from safely moving between territories but also make vehicle collisions one of the leading causes of death.

Beth Pratt, regional executive director in California for the National Wildlife Federation, has emphasized that without efforts to restore habitat connectivity and build safe wildlife crossings, these predators will continue to be forced into dangerous situations, not because they seek out humans, but because roads and development have left them few safe options to find new territory or mates.

According to reports from The Conservation Fund, restoring wildlife corridors and protecting open space are critical steps toward reconnecting isolated populations. Coverage by The New York Times and ABC7 has increased awareness, and wildlife officials are now recommending threatened species status for some Southern California populations.

The future of California’s mountain lions depends on whether development and conservation can coexist and whether action comes soon enough.