P-22 — Mediated Wiki

{{Short description|Wild animal in Los Angeles (d. 2022)}} {{About|the mountain lion||P22 (disambiguation){{!}}P22}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}} {{Infobox animal | name = P-22 | image = File:P-22 2019.jpg | caption = P-22 in 2019 | othername = {{ubl|Puma 22|Hollywood Cat}} | species = Cougar (''Puma concolor'') | gender = Male | birth_date = {{circa|{{Birth based on age at death|12|2022|12|17}}}} | birth_place = Santa Monica Mountains, California, U.S. | residence = Griffith Park | weight = 123 lbs (2012) | parents = {{cslist|P-1 (father)|unknown (mother)}} | death_date = {{Death date and age|2022|12|17| 2009}} | death_cause = Euthanasia | death_place = San Diego, California, U.S. | resting_place = Griffith Park, Los Angeles, California }}

'''P-22''' ({{circa|2009/2010}} – December 17, 2022) was a wild mountain lion who resided in Griffith Park in Los Angeles, California, at the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains.

P-22 was first identified in 2012, after which he was monitored by radio collar. He lived in Griffith Park for ten years and was often recorded in nearby Hollywood Hills neighborhoods as well. He was captured and euthanized in December 2022, after examinations revealed he was suffering from traumatic injuries consistent with being hit by a car, in combination with several longer-term health issues.

P-22 was the subject of significant media attention, including numerous books, television programs, and other works of art. Most significant was a photograph of him in front of the Hollywood Sign, which was featured in ''National Geographic''. P-22's likeness was also instrumental in funding the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing.

== Life == ===Early life=== P-22 was born {{circa|2009/2010}} in the western part of the Santa Monica Mountains.<ref name="NPS">{{cite web | title = Puma Profiles: P-022 | website = National Park Service | url = https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/puma-profiles-p-022.htm | url-status = dead | access-date = October 27, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220424102606/https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/puma-profiles-p-022.htm | archive-date = April 24, 2022}}</ref> Genetic testing showed that his father was P-1.<ref>{{cite news |title=He's terminally single and getting old. What's next for P-22, L.A's favorite wild bachelor? |newspaper=LA Times |date=April 21, 2022 |first=Laura J. |last= Nelson|url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-04-21/whats-next-for-p-22-mountain-lion-los-angeles |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421121936/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-04-21/whats-next-for-p-22-mountain-lion-los-angeles |archive-date=April 21, 2022}}</ref> P-1 was known as "king of the mountains," having a very large territory.<ref>{{cite web |title=Life and Death of P-22, L.A.'s Most Famous Mountain Lion |website=Los Angeles Almanac |url=https://www.laalmanac.com/environment/ev704.php}}</ref> His mother was an unknown puma, one who had not been recorded in the study of local pumas.<ref name="NPS" />

Sometime before 2012, P-22 headed east within the Santa Monica Mountains to Griffith Park, where he settled after crossing two major Los Angeles freeways (Interstate 405 and Route 101).<ref name="groves2012">{{cite news | last = Groves | first = Martha | url = https://www.latimes.com/local/la-xpm-2012-aug-14-la-me-griffith-park-mountain-lion-20120814-story.html | url-access = subscription | date = August 14, 2012 | title = Mountain lion makes itself at home in Griffith Park | newspaper = Los Angeles Times | access-date = October 27, 2022}}</ref><ref name="witt2022">{{cite magazine | title = An Urban Wildlife Bridge is Coming to California | magazine = The New Yorker | last = Witt | first = Emily | date = May 17, 2022 | url = https://www.newyorker.com/news/letter-from-los-angeles/an-urban-wildlife-bridge-is-coming-to-california }}</ref> His success in evading traffic on these major routes was highlighted, since multiple mountain lions have died after being struck by vehicles on Los Angeles freeways.<ref name="gammon2022">{{cite news | last = Gammon | first = Katharine | title = 'The Brad Pitt of mountain lions': how P22 became Los Angeles' wildest celebrity | date = February 13, 2022 | url = https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/feb/13/los-angeles-mountain-lion-griffith-park | work = The Guardian | access-date = October 27, 2022}}</ref><ref name="goldberg2022">{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-08-26/mountain-lion-believed-to-be-p-22-spotted-roaming-hollywood-hills-streets |url-access=subscription |title=Mountain lion P-22 spotted roaming Hollywood Hills streets |last=Goldberg |first=Noah |date=August 26, 2022 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> The exact route for P-22's journey is unknown.<ref name="curwen2017">{{cite news | last = Curwen | first = Thomas | date = February 8, 2017 | title = A week in the life of P‑22, the big cat who shares Griffith Park with millions of people | newspaper = Los Angeles Times | url = https://www.latimes.com/projects/la-me-griffith-park-mountain-lion/ | url-access = subscription | access-date = October 27, 2022}}</ref>

===In Griffith Park=== {{Location mark | type = thumb | float = right | image = P-22 Home Range in Comparison.jpg | width = 350 | caption = P-22's home range in comparison to other pumas' | x% = 85 | y% = 77 }} P-22 was first discovered in Griffith Park by the Griffith Park Connectivity Study and he was first caught in March 2012,<ref name="RealWild">{{cite web | title = America's Most Infamous Mountain Lion (P22 Puma Documentary) | website = YouTube | publisher = Real Wild | date = July 9, 2022 | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQ1PDsNRfTk&ab_channel=RealWild}}</ref> at which point he weighed {{convert|90|lbs|kg}}, was fitted with a GPS collar, and was designated P-22.<ref name="curwen2017" /><ref name="RealWild"/><ref name="groves2012" /><ref name="NPS" /> P-22 primarily resided in Griffith Park but was also spotted in the Hollywood Hills,<ref name="groves2013">{{cite news | last = Groves | first = Martha | title = Scientists track cougar's wild nightlife above Hollywood | date = October 4, 2013 | url = https://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-griffith-park-lion-20131005-story.html | url-access = subscription | newspaper = Los Angeles Times}}</ref><ref name="fields2014">{{cite news | last = Fields | first = Kayle | title = Mountain Lion Calls Hollywood Hills Home | url = https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2014/03/mountain-lion-calls-hollywood-hills-home | work = ABC News | date = March 12, 2014 }}</ref><ref name="solis2022">{{cite news | last1 = Solis | first1 = Nathan | last2 = Yee | first2 = Gregory | title = P-22 is back home in Griffith Park. Here's how he survived urban ills to become L.A.'s most famous cat | newspaper = Los Angeles Times | url = https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-03-10/how-p-22-l-a-s-famous-cat-survived-freeways-urban-ills | url-access = subscription | date = March 10, 2022}}</ref><ref name="park2022">{{cite news | last = Park | first = Jeong | title = Los Feliz couple encounter surprise in their driveway: mountain lion believed to be P-22 | date = October 9, 2022 | url = https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-10-09/a-los-feliz-couple-comes-within-three-feet-of-mountain-lion-believed-to-be-p-22 | url-access = subscription | newspaper = Los Angeles Times}}</ref> Los Feliz,<ref name="abc2015">{{cite news | title = Mountain lion P-22 trapped under Los Feliz home | work = ABC 7 – Eyewitness News | url = https://abc7.com/p22-mountain-lion-los-feliz/657009/ | date = April 13, 2015}}</ref><ref name="groves2015">{{cite news | title = P-22 vacates home, heads back to Griffith Park, wildlife officials say | newspaper = Los Angeles Times | last1 = Groves | first1 = Martha | last2 = Jennings | first2 = Angel | date = April 13, 2015 | url = https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-famed-p22-mountain-lion-found-under-los-feliz-home-owner-says-20150413-story.html | url-access = subscription}}</ref> and Silver Lake.<ref name="kurland2022">{{cite news | last = Kurland | first = Zoe | title = We Saw A Mountain Lion Walking In Silver Lake. The Famous P-22 Takes A Stroll, Then Heads Home To Griffith Park | work = LAist | date = March 10, 2022 | url = https://laist.com/news/mountain-lion-p-22-spotted-in-silver-lake }}</ref><ref name="haring2022">{{cite news | title = Celebrity Mountain Lion P-22 Visits Silver Lake Once Again This Weekend | last = Haring | first = Bruce | url = https://deadline.com/2022/03/celebrity-mountain-lion-p-22-visits-silver-lake-once-again-this-weekend-1234987810/ | date = March 27, 2022 | work = Deadline}}</ref> The U.S. National Park Service noted that P-22's {{convert|9|sqmi|sqkm|adj=on}} Griffith Park habitat was too small for an adult cat by a factor of 31 and that it was unlikely he would ever find a mate there.<ref name="NPS" /> It is the smallest range ever recorded for an adult male mountain lion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 17, 2022 |title=Statement on P-22 from Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area |url=https://www.nps.gov/samo/learn/news/statement-on-p-22-from-santa-monica-mountains-national-recreation-area.htm |access-date=December 17, 2022 |publisher=National Park Service |language=}}</ref>{{NoteTag|P-22 is likely not the first mountain lion to reside in Griffith Park, although the duration of his stay was remarkably long. A mountain lion's body was found in Griffith Park {{circa|1996/1997}} and another was sighted several times in 2004. Rangers also found evidence (including deer remains) to support the latter's presence.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Hymon |first1=Steve |last2=Sciaudone |first2=Christiana |date=April 29, 2004 |title=A Mountain Lion Far From Home |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-apr-29-me-lion29-story.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=December 18, 2022}}</ref>}}

thumb|250px|P-22 in March 2014 before his treatment for mange (left) and in December 2015, after treatment (right)

In 2014, P-22 contracted mange stemming from exposure to anti-blood-clotting rat poison by way of biomagnification.<ref name="nps2014a">{{cite news | title = Griffith Park Mountain Lion Exposed to Poison, Suffering from Mange | website = Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area | publisher = National Park Service | url = https://www.nps.gov/samo/learn/news/gp-lion-exposed-to-poison.htm | date = April 17, 2017 | access-date = October 27, 2022}}</ref><ref name="hillard2014">{{cite news | title = LA Mountain Lion A Poster Cat For California's Rat Poison Problem | last = Hillard | first = Gloria | url = https://www.npr.org/2014/06/21/323970068/la-mountain-lion-a-poster-cat-for-californias-rat-poison-problem | work = Weekend Edition Saturday | publisher = NPR | date = June 21, 2014}}</ref> The National Park Service captured and treated him, then released him back into Griffith Park. In December 2015, the National Park Service re-captured P-22 and found he had gained 15 pounds and fully recovered.<ref name="kim2016">{{cite news | last = Kim | first = Jed | title = Mountain lion P-22's health much better in latest checkup | date = January 7, 2016 | url = https://www.kpcc.org/2016-01-07/mountain-lion-p-22-s-health-much-better-in-latest | work = KPCC}}</ref><ref name="bransonpotts2016">{{cite news |last=Branson-Potts |first=Hailey |date=January 7, 2016 |title=Griffith Park mountain lion P-22 looking healthy again |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-puma-22-20160108-story.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212185620/https://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-puma-22-20160108-story.html |archive-date=December 12, 2022}}</ref>

In 2016, the Los Angeles Zoo reported the disappearance of an elderly koala named Killarney, whose carcass was found outside of the koala enclosure.<ref name="martinez2016">{{cite news | title = Mountain lion featured in National Geographic mauls koala in L.A. Zoo | last = Martinez | first = Michael | date = March 10, 2016 | url = https://www.cnn.com/2016/03/10/us/los-angeles-p-22-mountain-lion-mauls-zoo-koala-bear-killarney | work = CNN}}</ref><ref name="serna2016">{{cite web | title = Is P-22 mountain lion too dangerous for Griffith Park? Koala death sparks debate | last1 = Serna | first1 = Joseph | last2 = Branson-Potts | first2 = Hailey | date = March 11, 2016 | url = https://www.baltimoresun.com/la-me-ln-mountain-lion-p22-too-dangerous-for-griffith-park-20160311-story.html | website = The Baltimore Sun}}</ref><ref name="kaplan2016">{{cite news | title = L.A. Zoo to the mountain lion that probably ate its koala: No hard feelings | last = Kaplan | first = Sarah | date = March 17, 2016 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/03/17/l-a-zoo-to-the-mountain-lion-that-probably-ate-its-koala-no-hard-feelings/ | newspaper = The Washington Post}}</ref> Surveillance footage from the zoo showed P-22 on zoo grounds, although neither the GPS-tracking data nor camera footage recorded an interaction between the two animals.<ref name="martinez2016" /><ref name="serna2016" /><ref name="domonoske2016">{{cite web | last = Domonoske | first = Camila | date = March 11, 2016 | title = LA's Famous Mountain Lion Suspected In Koala Killing | website = The Two Way | publisher = NPR | url = https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/03/11/470099818/las-famous-mountain-lion-suspected-in-koala-killing }}</ref> Los Angeles City Council member Mitch O'Farrell called for investigating the relocation of P-22 after the incident,<ref name="lovett2016">{{cite news | newspaper = The New York Times | last = Lovett | first = Ian | date = March 23, 2016 | title = Prime Suspect in Koala's Murder: Los Angeles's Mountain Lion | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/24/us/prime-suspect-in-koalas-murder-los-angeless-mountain-lion.html | access-date = December 17, 2022}}</ref> while the National Park Service called the koala killing "normal predatory behavior" and the Zoo declined to ask for a depredation permit, instead opting to improve its animal enclosure methods.<ref name="kaplan2016" />

=== Capture and death === In December 2022, the National Park Service and California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced that they would capture P-22 to evaluate his health.<ref>{{Cite press release |date=December 8, 2022 |title=California Department of Fish and Wildlife and National Park Service Team Up to Evaluate P-22 |url=https://wildlife.ca.gov/News/california-department-of-fish-and-wildlife-and-national-park-service-team-up-to-evaluate-p-221 |access-date=December 9, 2022 |work= wildlife.ca.gov |publisher=California Department of Fish and Wildlife |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129060636/https://wildlife.ca.gov/News/california-department-of-fish-and-wildlife-and-national-park-service-team-up-to-evaluate-p-221 |archive-date=Jan 29, 2023}}</ref> Previously, the services had noticed changes in his behavior, including increased agitation and venturing farther from his usual range,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kranking |first=Carlyn |date=December 19, 2022 |title=Why Los Angeles Fell in Love With the Mountain Lion Known as P-22 |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/the-mountain-lion-whose-life-captivated-los-angeles-has-died-180981326/ |access-date=2022-12-28 |website=Smithsonian Magazine |language=en}}</ref> culminating in two separate attacks on chihuahuas in Griffith Park's neighboring communities.<ref name="yee20222">{{cite news |last=Yee |first=Gregory |date=December 10, 2022 |title=The search for P-22 is on. Here's why capturing L.A.'s star mountain lion could take weeks |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-12-10/los-angeles-mountain-lion-p-22-capture-could-take-weeks |url-access=subscription}}</ref> On December 12, P-22 was captured in a Los Feliz homeowner's backyard,<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last1=Martinez |first1=Christian |last2=Nelson |first2=Laura J. |last3=Solis |first3=Nathan |date=December 12, 2022 |title=P-22 captured in backyard of Los Feliz home, resident says |work=Los Angeles Times |url= https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-12-12/p-22-captured-in-backyard-of-los-feliz-home-resident-says |url-access= subscription |access-date=December 12, 2022}}</ref> after which he was triaged at the Los Angeles Zoo, and then taken to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.<ref name=capture/>

Officials initially announced that P-22 was in stable condition<ref name=":2" /><ref name="albeck20222">{{cite news |last=Albeck-Ripka |first=Livia |date=December 12, 2022 |title=The Lion Sleeps Tonight: P-22, Elusive L.A. Fixture, Is Captured |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/12/us/mountain-lion-p22-los-angeles-caught.html |access-date= December 13, 2022}}</ref> and that he would not be euthanized unless he was suffering from a serious health condition.<ref name=capture>{{Cite news |last1=Martinez |first1=Christian |last2=Solis |first2=Nathan |last3=Nelson |first3=Laura J. |last4=Yee |first4=Gregory |date=December 13, 2022 |title=What will happen to P-22 after his capture? 'No options are off the table' for big cat |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-12-13/what-happens-to-p-22-after-captured-no-options-off-the-table |url-status=dead |access-date=December 13, 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221213175735/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-12-13/what-happens-to-p-22-after-captured-no-options-off-the-table |archive-date=December 13, 2022}}</ref> The next day, however, officials announced that P-22 would likely not be released back into Griffith Park, as he was significantly underweight, had thinning fur, possible mange, and his right eye was damaged, the latter likely due to a vehicle collision, as one had been reported the night before P-22's capture and P-22's radio collar data supported the idea that he had been involved.<ref name="nelson2022">{{Cite news |last1=Nelson |first1=Laura J. |last2=Queally |first2=James |date=December 17, 2022 |title=P-22, L.A. celebrity mountain lion, euthanized due to severe injuries |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-12-17/p22-obituary-celebrity-mountain-lion-cougar-puma-griffith-park-california |url-access=subscription |access-date=December 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221217190518/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-12-17/p22-obituary-celebrity-mountain-lion-cougar-puma-griffith-park-california |archive-date=December 17, 2022 | url-status = live}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite news |last1=Martinez |first1=Christian |last2=Solis |first2=Nathan |date= December 13, 2022 |title=P-22's health seriously deteriorating, with euthanasia or sanctuary possible |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-12-13/what-happens-to-p-22-after-captured-no-options-off-the-table |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=December 14, 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221214105719/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-12-13/what-happens-to-p-22-after-captured-no-options-off-the-table |archive-date=December 14, 2022}}</ref> P-22 was further examined at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, where serious health issues were discovered, including skull fractures, eye and skin injuries, and herniation of abdominal organs into his chest.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Heyward |first=Giulia |date=2022-12-17 |title=P-22, Hollywood's famous mountain lion, is euthanized after suffering injuries |language=en |work=NPR News |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/12/17/1143851326/p-22-euthanized-mountain-lion-hollywood-los-angeles |access-date=2022-12-22}}</ref> P-22 was also found to be suffering from multiple long-term ailments, including stage 2 kidney failure, heart disease, a parasitic skin infection of ''Demodex gatoi'', and weight loss (he weighed {{cvt|90|lb}} instead of his usual {{cvt|125|lb}}).<ref name="cdfwdeath">{{cite press release | agency = California Department of Fish and Wildlife | date = December 17, 2022 | title = Mountain Lion P-22 Compassionately Euthanized Following Complete Health Evaluation Results | url = https://wildlife.ca.gov/News/mountain-lion-p-22-compassionately-euthanized-following-complete-health-evaluation-results |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226163607/https://wildlife.ca.gov/News/mountain-lion-p-22-compassionately-euthanized-following-complete-health-evaluation-results |archive-date=Dec 26, 2022}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Kiszla |first=Cameron |date=December 17, 2022 |title=P-22 euthanized days after capture; cougar had been struck by car, wildlife officials say |work=KTLA |url=https://ktla.com/news/local-news/p-22-euthanized-after-being-struck-by-car-wildlife-officials-say/ |access-date=December 17, 2022}}</ref><ref name="pratt2022">{{cite web | last = Pratt | first = Beth | title = A Eulogy for P-22, A Mountain Lion Who Changed the World | website = nwf.org| publisher= National Wildlife Federation | date = December 17, 2022 | url = https://www.nwf.org/Latest-News/Press-Releases/2022/12-17-22-Eulogy-P-22}}</ref>

P-22 was euthanized on December 17, 2022 at 9:00 a.m.<ref name="nelson2022" /><ref name=":3" /> A necropsy found he had a systemic ringworm infection, making him the first documented case of a demodectic mange infection concurrent with a ringworm infection in a California mountain lion. The examination also confirmed that P-22's severe injuries and chronic conditions both impaired his ability to function in the wild and would have lowered his quality of life in human care.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 14, 2023 |title=Final necropsy results released for mountain lion P-22 |url=https://wildlife.ca.gov/News/final-necropsy-results-released-for-mountain-lion-p-22 |access-date=2023-06-15 |website=CDFW News |publisher=California Department of Fish and Wildlife |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614235131/https://wildlife.ca.gov/News/final-necropsy-results-released-for-mountain-lion-p-22 |archive-date=Jun 14, 2023}}</ref>

=== Burial === Up to a year before P-22's death, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County received applications that upon his death, they would use his remains for research purposes and also put his body on display.<ref name="LAT 2022-12-23"/> However, after P-22's death, the museum announced they did not plan to taxidermy his body or put his remains on display.<ref name="LAT 2022-12-23">{{Cite news |last=Solis |first=Nathan |date=2022-12-23 |title=Dispute arises over P-22's remains as Indigenous people fight for Griffith Park burial |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-12-23/what-to-do-with-p-22s-remains-native-americans-call-for-a-ceremonial-burial-in-griffith-park |access-date=2022-12-24 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> Instead, local Native American tribes requested him buried near Griffith Park with a ceremony to honor his spirit.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-24 |title=Native tribes call for famed mountain lion P-22 to be buried with ceremony near Griffith Park |url=https://abc7.com/p-22-burial-native-tribes-natural-history-museum/12610649/ |access-date=2022-12-24 |website=ABC7 Los Angeles |language=en}}</ref>

After P-22's necropsy, he was transported to the museum,<ref name=":3" /> where officials and descendants from Gabrieleño/Tongva, Tataviam, Chumash, Gabrielino-Shoshone, Akimel O'otham, and Luiseño tribes held a blessing ceremony to "welcome P-22 back to his homeland".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sternfield |first=Marc |date=December 24, 2022 |title=Tribal concerns complicate plans for P-22; Natural History Museum says the cougar will not go on display |url=https://ktla.com/news/local-news/tribal-concerns-complicate-plans-for-p-22-natural-history-museum-says-the-cougar-will-not-be-put-on-display/ |access-date=2022-12-25 |website=KTLA |language=en-US}}</ref> P-22's remains were stored at the museum until he was buried on March 4 at an undisclosed location in the Santa Monica Mountains.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dazio |first=Stefanie |date=2023-02-04 |title=Tribes, researchers debate final fate of P-22, famed LA puma |url=https://apnews.com/article/science-animals-los-angeles-california-da293aec7427c8d2b4f24762d87b2c01 |access-date=2023-02-12 |work=AP News |language=en}}</ref> The burial was done in collaboration with local Indigenous partners, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Natural History Museum, and the National Park Service.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Arce |first1=Ernesto |last2=Ogilvie |first2=Jessica P. |date=2023-03-06 |title=P-22 Has Been Laid To Rest In The Santa Monica Mountains In A Private Ceremony |url=https://laist.com/news/p-22-has-been-laid-to-rest-in-the-santa-monica-mountains |access-date=2023-03-07 |work=LAist |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Sternfield |first=Marc |date=2023-03-06 |title=Famed mountain lion P-22 buried in tribal ceremony |url=https://ktla.com/news/local-news/famed-mountain-lion-p-22-buried-in-tribal-ceremony/ |access-date=2023-03-06 |work=KTLA |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=March 6, 2023 |title=Famed mountain lion P-22 buried in the Santa Monica Mountains |url=https://abc7.com/p-22-buried-santa-monica-mountains-mountain-lion/12920690/ |access-date=2023-03-06 |work=ABC 7 Los Angeles}}</ref>

==Name== P-22 was the 22nd puma tracked in a Santa Monica Mountains National Park Service study, hence the name P (for "puma") and 22.<ref name="curwen2017" /><ref name="RealWild"/><ref name="groves2012" /> He was also known as Hollywood Cat.<ref name=Pratt>{{cite book |title=When Mountain Lions Are Neighbors |first=Beth |last=Pratt |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Bz9QEAAAQBAJ |publisher=Heydey Books |date=2016 |isbn=978-1-59714-638-8}}</ref>

In 2015, radio station KPCC polled listeners to choose a more personal name for P-22. Proposed names included Felix (like Felix the Cat), Yossarian (based on ''Catch-22''), Tukuurot (the Tongva word for mountain lion), Pete Puma (''Looney Tunes''), Pounce de Leon (Juan Ponce de León), Huell, and Puma Thurman (Uma Thurman). However, the winning name by a large margin was P-22.<ref name="johnrabe">{{cite news | last = Rabe | first = John | title = And P-22 the mountain lion's 'new' name, selected by listeners, is... | date = April 24, 2015| url = https://archive.kpcc.org/programs/offramp/2015/04/24/42548/and-p-22-the-mountain-lion-s-new-name-selected-by/ | work = KPCC}}</ref>

== Legacy and tributes == thumb|Park rangers and volunteers during P-22 Day in 2017

P-22 was the subject of books, television programs, and other works of art since he was first spotted. More broadly, P-22's image became a symbol representing Los Angeles culture and wildlife conservation in California.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Kevin Andrew Dolak |date=2022-12-22 |title=I Am the Man Behind the Anonymous P-22 Twitter Account |url=https://www.lamag.com/culturefiles/i-was-behind-the-anonymous-p22-twitter-account/ |access-date=2022-12-26 |magazine=Los Angeles Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="dickinson2021">{{cite web | last = Dickinson | first = Ian | title = World's largest wildlife crossing one step closer to becoming a reality | date = March 11, 2021 | url = https://www.earthtouchnews.com/conservation/conservation/worlds-largest-wildlife-crossing-one-step-closer-to-becoming-a-reality/ | website = Earth Touch News Network}}</ref><ref name="schreiner2022">{{cite news | last = Schreiner | first = Casey | title = L.A.'s most famous mountain lion gets a party this weekend | date = October 20, 2022 | url = https://www.latimes.com/travel/newsletter/2022-10-20/the-wild-p-22-day-festival-griffith-park-mountain-lion-the-wild| url-access = subscription | newspaper = Los Angeles Times | access-date = October 28, 2022}}</ref> His likeness was instrumental in funding the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cowan |first=Jill |date=2023-05-04 |title=The Enduring Power of a Big Cat in Star-Obsessed Los Angeles |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/04/us/los-angeles-mountain-lion-p22.html |access-date=2023-05-13 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and articles commemorating him often noted the challenges he faced.<ref name="nelson2022"/>

In 2016, Beth Pratt, executive director for the National Wildlife Federation in California, helped establish the #SaveLACougars campaign and held the first celebration of P-22 Day.<ref name="schreiner2022" /> In 2023, the Los Angeles Public Library issued a limited-edition library card featuring P-22's ''National Geographic'' photo with the Hollywood Sign in the background.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Von Quednow |first1=Cindy |last2=Riesmeyer |first2=Andy |date=February 23, 2023 |title=Los Angeles Public Library releases limited-edition library card honoring P-22 |url=https://ktla.com/news/local-news/los-angeles-public-library-releases-limited-edition-library-cards-honoring-p-22/ |access-date=2023-02-24 |work=KTLA |language=en-US}}</ref> The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County also has an exhibit on P-22.<ref>{{cite web|title=P-22 |publisher=Natural History Museum |url=https://nhm.org/experience-nhm/exhibitions-natural-history-museum/p-22}}</ref>

Numerous community and public figures released statements following P-22's death, including Governor Gavin Newsom,<ref name=":0">{{cite press release | agency = Office of Governor of the State of California | title = Governor Newsom Statement on Mountain Lion P-22 | date = December 17, 2022| website= gov.ca.gov | url = https://www.gov.ca.gov/2022/12/17/governor-newsom-statement-on-mountain-lion-p-22/ | location = Sacramento, California}}</ref> U.S. Representative Adam Schiff,<ref name="schiff2022">{{cite press release | date = 17 December 2022 | url = https://schiff.house.gov/news/press-releases/congressman-schiff-on-the-passing-of-p-22 | title = Congressman Schiff on the Passing of P-22 | agency = Office of Congressman Adam Schiff CA 28 | access-date = 21 December 2022}}</ref> State Representative Laura Friedman,<ref>{{cite news | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = December 17, 2022 | last = McDaniel | first = Justine | title = Iconic L.A. mountain lion euthanized after 'extraordinary life' | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2022/12/17/mountain-lion-p-22-los-angeles/}}</ref> and City Councilmember Nithya Raman.<ref>{{cite web | title = This Moving Eulogy Of P-22, The Famous Big Cat That Stole Los Angeles's Heart, Is Making Us Tear Up | url = https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ikrd/p-22-mountain-lion-euthanized-tributes-los-angeles | website = Buzzfeed News | last = Dahir | first = Ikran | date = December 17, 2022}}</ref> P-22's obituary in the ''Los Angeles Times'' described him as "an aging bachelor who adjusted to a too-small space in the big city;" it also described his border-crossing journey to Griffith Park as something many residents could empathize with.<ref name="nelson2022"/> The Greek Theatre hosted a celebration of P-22's life on February 4, 2023;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Toohey |first=Grace |date=December 28, 2022 |title=Celebration of life for P-22 set for Feb. 4 in Griffith Park |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-12-28/celebration-of-life-for-p-22-set-for-february-in-griffith-park |access-date=2023-01-01 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> that same month, representatives Adam Schiff, Julia Brownley, and Ted Lieu wrote to the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee nominating P-22 to appear on a future stamp.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nelson |first=Laura J. |date=February 3, 2023 |title=A P-22 postage stamp? Schiff kicks off effort to honor L.A.'s celebrity puma |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-02-03/p22-mountain-lion-los-angeles-griffith-park-postage-stamp-usps |url-status=live |access-date=February 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203175521/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-02-03/p22-mountain-lion-los-angeles-griffith-park-postage-stamp-usps |archive-date=February 3, 2023}}</ref>

===Murals=== Several murals in and around Los Angeles feature P-22, including:

{| class="wikitable sortable" ! Muralist ! Location ! Year painted ! Ref |- |rowspan="3" | Jonathan Martinez | Esperanza Elementary School in Westlake | 2020 | <ref name="wagner2020">{{cite news | last = Wagner | first = Tara Lynn | title = LA's Most Famous Mountain Lion Stars in New Mural | work = Spectrum News 1 | date = August 24, 2020 | url = https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-east/arts/2020/08/24/p-22--la-s-most-famous-mountain-lion--stars-in-new-mural- | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211130154204/https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-east/arts/2020/08/24/p-22--la-s-most-famous-mountain-lion--stars-in-new-mural- | archive-date = November 30, 2021}}</ref> |- | Watts | 2021 | <ref name="knx2021">{{cite news | title = New Watts mural features famed P-22 mountain lion | url = https://www.audacy.com/knxnews/news/local/new-watts-mural-features-famed-p-22-mountain-lion | website = KNX News 97.1 FM | date = April 19, 2021 | author = City News Service}}</ref><ref name="keller2021">{{cite news | last = Keller | first = Bertram | title = Mural in Watts Illustrates When Nature Imitates Life | url = https://lasentinel.net/mural-in-watts-illustrates-when-nature-imitates-life.html | work = Los Angeles Sentinel | date = May 27, 2021}}</ref> |- | Ladera STARS Academy in Thousand Oaks | 2022 | <ref name="KCLUferaday">{{cite news | last = Feraday | first = Caroline | date = 5 December 2022 | title = The P-22 mountain lion is featured in a new mural project in the Conejo Valley | work = KCLU | access-date = 21 December 2022 | url = https://www.kclu.org/local-news/2022-12-05/the-p-22-mountain-lion-is-featured-in-a-new-mural-project-in-conejo-valley}}</ref> |- |rowspan="3" | Corie Mattie | Silver Lake | 2022 | <ref name="kurzweil2022">{{cite news | last = Kurzweil | first = Tony | title = Local artist features mountain lion P-22 in Silver Lake mural | date = October 5, 2022 | url = https://ktla.com/news/local-news/local-artist-features-mountain-lion-p-22-in-silver-lake-mural/ | website = KTLA}}</ref><ref name="scauzillo2022">{{cite news | last = Scauzillo | first = Steve | title = P-22, the 'Hollywood Cat' who lives in Griffith Park, is honored in a mural in Silver Lake | newspaper = Los Angeles Daily News | url = https://www.dailynews.com/2022/10/04/p-22-the-hollywood-cat-who-lives-in-griffith-park-is-honored-in-a-mural-in-silver-lake/ | date = October 4, 2022}}</ref> |- | Fairfax District | 2022 | <ref name="chow2022">{{cite news | title = 'Long Live the King': Mural honoring famed L.A. mountain lion P-22 debuts | last = Chow | first = Vivian | work = KTLA | url = https://ktla.com/news/local-news/mural-honoring-famed-l-a-mountain-lion-p-22-debuts/ | date = 21 December 2022}}</ref> |- | Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood | 2024 | <ref>{{cite news | title = Muralist honors legendary mountain lion P-22 with artwork in Hollywood | last = Tokumatsu | first = Gordon | work = NBC4 | url = https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/muralist-honors-legendary-mountain-lion-p-22-with-artwork-in-hollywood/3537970/ | date = 17 October 2024}}</ref> |}

==In popular culture== ===National Geographic=== ''National Geographic'' photographer Steve Winter worked with National Park Service wildlife biologist Jeff Sikich to photograph P-22.<ref name="nyce2022">{{cite magazine | magazine = The Atlantic | title = Tracking the Mountain Lion That Ate a Chihuahua | last = Nyce | first = Caroline Mimbs | date = November 29, 2022 | url = https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/11/hollywood-cat-p-22-mountain-lion-los-angeles/672285/}}</ref><ref name="dellamore2022">{{cite magazine | url = https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/p22-hollywood-cougar-steve-winter-photography | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221214211616/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/p22-hollywood-cougar-steve-winter-photography | url-status = dead | archive-date = December 14, 2022 | title = How this photo turned a reclusive mountain lion into a Hollywood icon | last = Dell'Amore | first = Christine | date = December 14, 2022 | magazine = National Geographic}}</ref> They spent fifteen months placing camera traps in Griffith Park, often having them stolen, before capturing P-22 under the Hollywood Sign.<ref name="dellamore2022" /><ref name="keefe2013">{{cite magazine | url = https://www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/article/a-cougar-ready-for-his-closeup | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210301041850/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/article/a-cougar-ready-for-his-closeup | url-status = dead | archive-date = March 1, 2021 | title = A Cougar Ready for His Closeup | last = Keefe | first = Alexa | date = November 14, 2013 | magazine = National Geographic}}</ref> The image appeared in the December 2013 issue of ''National Geographic''.<ref name="dellamore2022"/>

=== Books === {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Year ! Title ! Author ! Publisher ! class="unsortable"| Notes ! class="unsortable"| {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |- | 2017 | ''We Heart P-22: A Coloring + Activity Book Celebrating L.A.'s Most Famous Mountain Lion'' | | Narrated Objects | |<ref name="medenilla2021">{{cite web | last = Medenilla | first = Klarize | title = Filipino American-Led 'We Heart L.A. Parks' Celebrates The Rich History Of Los Angeles Parks And The Diverse Communities That Uplift Them | date = June 2, 2021 | url = https://www.asianjournal.com/magazines/mdwk-magazine/filipino-american-led-we-heart-l-a-parks-celebrates-the-rich-history-of-los-angeles-parks-and-the-diverse-communities-that-uplift-them/ | website = MDWK Magazine | publisher = Asian Journal}}</ref> |- | 2018 | ''P-22: The Journey'' | rowspan=2 | Sherry Mangel-Ferber and Calandra Cherry | rowspan=2 |Ghost Cat Publications | |<ref name="guldimann2018">{{cite web | last = Guldimann | first = Suzanne | date = October 5, 2018 | title = ''P-22: The Journey'' Invites Contemplation about L.A's Big Cats | website = M'Online | url = https://messengermountainnews.com/p-22-the-journey-invites-contemplation-about-l-as-big-cats/ | access-date = October 28, 2022}}</ref> |- | 2020 | ''P-22: The Park'' | |<ref name="guldimann2020">{{cite news | last = Guldimann | first = Suzanne | date = December 18, 2020 | title = Two New Books Celebrate the Life of Mountain Lion P-22 | work = Topanga New Times | url = https://topanganewtimes.com/2020/12/18/two-new-books-celebrate-the-life-of-mountain-lion-p-22/ | access-date = October 27, 2022}}</ref> |- | 2020 | ''The Cat That Changed America'' | Tony Lee Moral | | |<ref name="guldimann2020" /><ref name="lane2020">{{cite web | last = Lane | first = Cassandra | title = READ ABOUT – AND HELP – MOUNTAIN LION P22 | website = L.A. Parent | url = https://www.laparent.com/p22-book/ | date = November 4, 2020}}</ref> |- | 2021 | ''Cougar Crossing: How Hollywood's Celebrity Cougar Helped Build a Bridge for City Wildlife'' | Meeg Pincus | Beach Lane Books | Illustrated by Alexander Vidal |<ref name="zeng2021">{{cite magazine | last = Zeng | first = Cady | title = Environmental Kids' Books for 2021 | date = 6 April 2021 | magazine = Publishers Weekly | url = https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/86009-environmental-kids-books-for-2021.html}}</ref><ref name="westmoore2021">{{cite news | title = Books in Brief: Treasure of the World, The Incredible Painting of Felix Clousseau, Cougar Crossing | last = Westmoore | first = Jean | date = 12 February 2021 | newspaper = The Buffalo News | url = https://buffalonews.com/entertainment/books/books-in-brief-treasure-of-the-world-the-incredible-painting-of-felix-clousseau-cougar-crossing/article_0716d4ee-6a7c-11eb-a0c8-f7244e64eba5.html}}</ref><ref name="schlichenmeyer2021">{{cite news | newspaper = The Guam Daily Post | last = Schlichenmeyer | first = Terri | date = 24 May 2021 | title = Ring the bell, kids! Summer's here, along with some fantastic reads | url = https://www.postguam.com/entertainment/lifestyle/ring-the-bell-kids-summers-here-along-with-some-fantastic-reads/article_1da698ec-bb4f-11eb-b707-075e819ae5c5.html}}</ref> |- |2023 |''Open Throat'' |Henry Hoke |Farrar, Straus and Giroux |Fictionalized portrayal of P-22 |<ref>{{cite web |title=Open Throat by Henry Hoke review – inside the mind of a queer mountain lion |publisher=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/jul/28/open-throat-by-henry-hoke-review-inside-the-mind-of-a-queer-mountain-lion |first=Rahul |last=Raina |date=July 28, 2023}}</ref> |}

=== Film, television, and theater === On television, P-22 was featured as a clue on the game show ''Jeopardy!'' in 2022<ref name="jeop">{{cite web | title = This type of wild cat with many names has a superstar in P-22 prowling the canyons of the L.A. area for years | website = Jeopardy Archive | url = https://jeopardyarchive.com/this-type-of-wild-cat-with-many-names-has-a-superstar-in-p-22-prowling-the-canyons-of-the-la-area-for-years | date = 27 September 2022 | access-date = 21 December 2022}}</ref> and his highway journey was parodied in season 4 episode 6 of ''Bojack Horseman''.<ref name="bojack1">{{cite episode | url = https://www.netflix.com/watch/80125585?trackId=14277281 | network = Netflix | title = S4E6: Stupid Piece of Sh*t | series = Bojack Horseman | season = 4}}</ref> P-22 was also mentioned and appears (played by another puma) in ''This Fool'';<ref name="This Fool Transcript">{{Cite web|url=https://tvshowtranscripts.ourboard.org/viewtopic.php?f=1448&t=55505|title=''This Fool'' - Sh*t or Get Off the Pot Transcript|publisher=TV Show Transcript|accessdate=March 12, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Secret Los Angeles">{{Cite web|url=https://secretlosangeles.com/p-22-la-mountain-lion/|title=LA's Beloved Mountain Lion, P-22, Has Been Euthanized|first=Sophie|last=Len|date=December 17, 2022|accessdate=March 12, 2023|publisher=Secret Los Angeles}}</ref> additionally, the show's season 2 premiere episode includes a memorial dedication to P-22.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Sean L. |date=2023-07-28 |title=Stream It Or Skip It: 'This Fool' Season 2 On Hulu, Where It's Always Sunny And Foolish In South Central L.A. |url=https://decider.com/2023/07/28/this-fool-season-2-hulu-review/ |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=Decider}}</ref> Films about P-22 include ''The Cat That Changed America'' (2017).<ref name="dickinson2021" /><ref name="friendsofgriffithpark">{{cite web | website = Friends of Griffith Park | title = P-22's Decade in Griffith Park | url = https://friendsofgriffithpark.org/p-22/}}</ref>

Amy Raasch portrays P-22 in her one-woman stage production ''The Animal Monologues''.<ref name="martin2018">{{cite web | last = Martin | first = Dana | date = 6 November 2018 | url = https://stageraw.com/2018/11/06/the-animal-monologues-theater-review/ | website = Stage Raw | title = Reviews: ''The Animal Monologues''}}</ref><ref name="james2019">{{cite web | author = Falling James | website = LA Weekly | title = Amy Raasch Unleashes Her Inner Beast in ''The Animal Monologues'' | date = 25 February 2019 | url = https://www.laweekly.com/amy-raasch-unleashes-her-inner-beast-in-the-animal-monologues/}}</ref>

==Notes== {{NoteFoot}}

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == {{commons category}} * [https://friendsofgriffithpark.org/p-22/ P-22's Decade in Griffith Park] – Friends of Griffith Park * {{cite web | last = Ordeñana | first = Miguel | title = The Sound of Our Griffith Park Mountain Lion: P-22 and the Mysteries of Puma Communication | website = Los Angeles County Natural History Museum | url = https://nhm.org/stories/sound-our-griffith-park-mountain-lion-p-22-and-mysteries-puma-communication}} * {{cite magazine | magazine = The New Yorker | title = L.A.'s Loneliest Lion | url = https://www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-of-technology/ballad-p22-mountain-lion-los-angeles | last = Nijhuis | first = Michelle | date = April 20, 2015 | access-date = December 13, 2022}}

Category:21st-century animal births Category:2022 animal deaths Category:Animal deaths by euthanasia Category:Environment of Greater Los Angeles Category:Fauna of the California chaparral and woodlands Category:Griffith Park Category:Individual cougars Category:Individual wild animals Category:Santa Monica Mountains Category:Individual animals in California