Good morning. It’s Monday, Jan. 8. Right here’s what you want to know to start out your day.
Why California’s new mountain lion census issues
California’s mountain lions aren’t simply good topics for journal pictures. Researchers say they play an important function as ecosystem engineers, as a result of their kills present a buffet for a spread of different mammals, birds and bugs, which then redistribute vitamins into soil, sustaining crops and small organisms (cue the “Circle of Life” track).
So the variety of the massive predatory cats can have an enormous impact on ecosystems throughout the Golden State.
A brand new census reveals there are 1000’s fewer mountain lions than beforehand thought
A primary-of-its-kind cougar rely places their inhabitants in perspective.
The census, performed over seven years by state and college scientists, estimates there are between 3,200 and 4,500 mountain lions in California. Researchers used GPS collar knowledge and gathered genetic info from big-cat scat to mannequin inhabitants densities in habitats throughout the state. They discovered the coastal forests of Humboldt and Mendocino counties of Northwest California have essentially the most mountain lions, whereas their inhabitants is lowest within the excessive desert area of Inyo County.
As L.A. Occasions’ Louis Sahagún reported, the brand new estimate is notably decrease than the one state wildlife officers have lengthy used:
“The California Division of Fish and Wildlife had for many years estimated that the state’s mountain lion inhabitants was roughly 6,000 — even regardless of relentless automobile strikes, wildfires and encroachment by land-hungry people all through their vary.”
That state determine was “a back-of-the-envelope calculation with out a lot knowledge to assist it,” Justin Dellinger, a biologist and chief of the California Mountain Lion Mission, instructed Louis.
We’re the pumas’ greatest drawback
The brand new analysis may assist as state officers determine whether or not to grant mountain lions new protections in opposition to their greatest menace: us.
Mountain lions used to roam huge territories. Then we constructed into wild areas. A sprawling freeway community now cuts them off from new areas and dissects the land into enclosed bits. Many mountain lions that attempt to get previous all our infrastructure are killed by drivers.
“Mountain lions as a species should not listed as endangered,” Louis famous. “However in Southern California, automobile strikes, rat poison, inbreeding, wildfires, poaching, city encroachment and freeway techniques are all contributing to what scientists name an ‘extinction vortex.’”
In Southern California, mountain lions boxed in by a number of freeways typically find yourself inbreeding. Researchers have warned that the populations within the Santa Monica and Santa Ana Mountains may go extinct inside 50 years.
Look no additional than the tragic story of beloved L.A. mountain lion P-22, who made headlines for his daring freeway crossings and solitary life in Griffith Park. In the long run, he suffered the identical destiny as many different Southland mountain lions: struck by a automobile driver and finally euthanized resulting from his accidents.
The Fish and Recreation fee is weighing a proposal to guard them
The state Fish and Recreation Fee has granted mountain lions in six areas candidate standing to be listed as threatened, offering some protections because the fee decides whether or not to formally give the massive cats that designation. It’s going to make a ultimate resolution later this yr.
If that occurs, the results can be notable, as Louis defined:
- The state Division of Transportation wouldn’t be allowed to construct or develop highways in core mountain lion habitat with out implementing satisfactory measures to make sure linkages and secure passage over them.
- Massive-scale residential and business growth may very well be prohibited or restricted in mountain lion habitats inside a area protecting roughly a 3rd of the state.
Right now’s high tales
(San Francisco Chronicle / Getty Photos)
Homicide charges are falling
Homelessness is down in L.A.
Writing cursive is so again
The Golden Globes refuse to die
It’s lastly NFL playoff season
Did you are feeling these earthquakes?
Extra large tales
Get limitless entry to the Los Angeles Occasions. Subscribe right here.
Right now’s nice reads
(Christina Home/Los Angeles Occasions)
Inside Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff’s L.A. Even in a metropolis stuffed with A-listers, the vice chairman and the second gentleman — and the site visitors jams that comply with them — are arduous to flee. Of their first joint interview since Harris took workplace, the couple dish on their life in L.A.
How can we make this text extra helpful? Ship feedback to essentialcalifornia@latimes.com.
In your downtime
(Christina Home / Los Angeles Occasions)
Going out
Staying in
And at last … an important photograph
Present us your favourite place in California! Ship us pictures you might have taken of spots in California which are particular — pure or human-made — and inform us why they’re vital to you.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Occasions)
Right now’s nice photograph is from the L.A. Occasions photographer Robert Gauthier of Florence Pugh on the Golden Globe Awards.
Have an important day, from the Important California crew
Ryan Fonseca, reporter
Karim Doumar, head of newsletters
Verify our high tales, matters and the newest articles on latimes.com.