Rangers welcome some very cute lion kittens at Santa Monica Mountains
The Santa Monica Mountains welcomed a litter of three mountain lions, officials announced today.
According to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, the kittens were discovered on May 26 near Peter Strauss Ranch. Two are female and one is male, according to a news release.
"Each mountain lion kitten has been implanted with a tracking device that will allow researchers to follow the kittens’ movement," according to the recreation area. "This is the first urban mountain lion study that has had the opportunity to track mountain lion kittens from such a young age.
National Park Service researchers will study the new litter to see if the male mountain lion kitten will attempt to disperse to more expansive habitat when he matures, and if the females will have litters of their own in the future."
Officials say it marks only the second time officials have documented a litter of mountain lions in the Santa Monica Mountains. The first was in the summer of 2004.
Last year, officials discovered a new mountain lion.
-- Shelby Grad
Photos: Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
where's the mama mountain lion?
The article never mentions what happened to their mother lion.
Posted by: Jinko | June 22, 2010 at 04:05 PM
Awwwwwwwwwww!
Posted by: Ted | June 22, 2010 at 04:43 PM
They're awfully cute now, but better not try to pet them when they grow up :-)
Posted by: James P | June 22, 2010 at 06:20 PM
What a face. Just makes you stare in wonderment. Makes you want to pick up and give a little hug n' squeeze - although that might be a little risky
Posted by: Woody McBreairty | June 22, 2010 at 07:46 PM
Their cute and welcome now, but, if they come into a populated area when their older, we just might have to kill them. Arent we great?
Posted by: dave | June 22, 2010 at 08:52 PM
Why are the rangers holding the kittens? This seems strange to encourage any sort of mountain lion/human interaction. This relationship works best when humans avoid the lions and the lions avoid humans. Also- where was the mother when they put tracking devices on the kittens? Was she tranquilized?
Posted by: kelsworth | June 22, 2010 at 09:40 PM
WHERE IS THE MOTHER? ARE THEY WEENED FROM THE MOTHER? WHO WILL FEED THEM? THEN YOU CHIP THEM LIKE SOME PET...YOU SHOULD PUT THEM IN A SHELTER UNTIL THEIR ARE OLD ENOUGHT TO SURVIVE ON THEIR OWN...THEY NEED PROTECTION FROM MAN AND OTHER PREDATORS
Posted by: dogrob1 | June 22, 2010 at 11:48 PM
Keep them away from the Fish n Game and Moorpark police there noted for shoot first, there dangerous critters known to attack.
Posted by: the old one | June 23, 2010 at 09:57 PM