P-22, Los Angeles’ famed mountain lion, was humanely euthanized in December 2022 after multiple tests showed declining health issues. Results from the final necropsy were released by the Department of Fish and Wildlife this week that confirmed that the mountain lion’s injuries were so severe, it would have been almost impossible to continue functioning in the wild. The necropsy declared P-22 was underweight, arthritic, had a herniated liver that had moved inside his chest cavity, had an incurable kidney disease, a severe parasitic skin infection encompassing his body and a recent orbital fracture consistent with a vehicle strike. Toxicology reports also indicated evidence of five rodenticides, most likely from ingesting prey. P-22 has been the inspiration for numerous wildlife conservation efforts including the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, as well as state assembly bill 1322 which aims to expand restrictions on toxic poisons.
