Why P-22 is still all over Los Angeles
Before P-22 died in December, I must admit I was only vaguely aware that a mountain lion lived in Griffith Park.
I had heard the name and was familiar with some of the many dangers facing cougars in the Los Angeles area—shrinking territory and an associated lack of genetic diversity, high-speed highway traffic, and exposure to rat poison—but I didn’t know much about what made P-22 unique.
Then, late last year, P-22, which had made an unlikely home in Los Angeles’ largest urban park for more than a decade, began behaving more aggressively. Conservationists took it as a sign that his health had deteriorated after a long, difficult life and that he should be euthanized. After his death, he became inescapable.
There was his feline face on a giant yellow mural in a fitness studio where I sometimes take classes. There was a memorial in the Greek Theater, which was attended by thousands of locals, including celebrities. The Los Angeles Public Library hosted a reading of “love letters” in his honor, and gave a limited edition library card. Representative Adam Schiff emailed voters to say he was hard at work push for a P-22 stamp.
Last week, the Los Angeles City Council passed a motion to build a permanent memorial to him in Griffith Park, which would see the cougar team up with James Dean, whose bust is on display near Griffith Observatory.
All this left me wondering: What was it about this wild beast, living in a city full of human celebrities, that inspired such ardent adoration?
What I discovered when I reported my recent article on the P-22’s legacy is that its stellar potential was recognized and magnified years ago by conservationists like Beth Pratt, the National Wildlife Federation’s executive director for California, who is the unofficial agent of the cat became.
She helped him become the face of a successful campaign to raise money to build the world’s largest wildlife crossing. which is under construction on Highway 101 in Agoura Hills.
But his story of isolation—he was a bachelor who never married—and surviving in a city that tends to crush individuals also resonated with Angelenos.
For Warren Dickson, a hip-hop artist trying to get South Los Angeles students involved in environmentalism, P-22 is at once a kindred spirit and an annoying point of comparison.
He recalled meeting Pratt by chance after he was hired to take her to a conservation fundraiser. She invited him to the event and he was struck by the level of concern, even for predators.
“Black people just want you to love them the way you love mountain lions,” he reminded the mostly white guests.
Instead of turning away, Pratt appreciated Dickson’s honesty, he said, and the two struck up a productive friendship. She eventually helped him record and make a music video for his song “If I was wild.”
Dickson believes fostering a connection to P-22’s story can help build empathy for marginalized human communities like his own. He hopes to make conservation a full-time career.
Part of the P-22’s appeal was more instinctive. At the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum, which has an exhibit dedicated to his “hero’s journey,” I found Michelle Davis pointing to a large map marking the cougar’s territory, while her 5-year-old son, Benjamin, to knots to represent other known cougars.
Benjamin, she explained, had been assigned a “passion project” through his school. Last year he tackled Metro trains. This year he planned to learn more about the big cat.
“Why did you choose P-22?” Davis nudged her son gently.
He squirmed shyly, his eyes cast down.
“I miss him,” he said. Then he ran away.
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Where we travel
Today’s tip comes from Claire Ramos, who recommends a ride in Rancho Palos Verdes:
“The cliffs near Point Vincent, near Redondo Beach and south of Los Angeles, make for a great ride. Catalina Island sparkles over the waves directly to the west, and the cliffs retain a sort of mysterious silvery light. There is an old lighthouse and a park to wander through where you can see rabbits and ground squirrels in the undergrowth. A peaceful, enchanting, magical place.”
Tell us about your favorite places to visit in California. Email your suggestions to CAtoday@nytimes.com. We will share more in upcoming editions of the newsletter.
And before you go, good news
The Marin Independent Journal recently asked readers to do just that share six-word stories of things they cherish. Here are some of our favourites:
“From mother, the gift of chatter.” — Patrick Ritter, San Rafael
“Loud vinyl music, hear me scream.” — Lucy Ray Bakowski, Fairfax
“Golden retriever Elliott, my greatest gift.” — Ann Troy, San Anselmo
“Being a parent, becoming a grandparent.” — Anna Lazzarini, Novato
“My first bicycle, a love affair.” — Alan Goldfarb, San Rafael