Mountain Lion Found Dead on 101 Freeway Near Wildlife Crossing Construction

A mountain lion was found dead on the 101 Freeway in Agoura Hills, California, early Saturday morning. The animal was discovered near Liberty Canyon Road, close to the construction site of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing. The crossing, which is designed to connect the isolated population of mountain lions in the Santa Monica Mountains to larger populations to the north, is currently under construction and expected to be completed by late 2025 or early 2026. The project aims to mitigate the issue of inbreeding among the local mountain lion population.

California Highway Patrol officers moved the mountain lion's body to the shoulder of the freeway to clear traffic. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has taken the animal for further investigation and DNA testing. The wildlife crossing, once completed, is intended to provide a safe passage for wildlife across the 10-lane freeway, thereby reducing fatalities and supporting genetic diversity among local species.