Local Extinction of Mountain Lions in Southern California Possible Within 50 Years
Two isolated mountain lion populations in Southern California’s Santa Ana and Santa Monica Mountains are at risk of local extinction, perhaps as soon as within 50 years, according to a study published in the journal Ecological Applications. For the study, lead author John Benson of the University of Nebraska and co-authors at UCLA, UC Davis, the National Park Service, the University of Washington, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Wyoming used population viability modeling to predict the possibilities of extinction from genetic and demographic risk factors. The extinction risk is due to low genetic diversity and mortality that affects the stability of the population. But increasing connectivity could help. Series: "UCTV Prime" [Agriculture] [Show ID: 35168]