Readers React: Griffith Park’s P-22 might have killed a koala. Don’t let the puma attack a person.

To the editor: In 2004, cyclist Mark Reynolds was eaten by a mountain lion while on a bike path in Whiting Ranch in Orange County. The same mountain lion pulled Anne Hjelle from her bike a few hours later and had her head in its jaws before she was rescued thanks to the efforts of multiple brave adults. (“Is P-22 mountain lion too dangerous for Griffith Park? Koala death sparks debate,” March 11)

There have been other reports of mountain lions menacing cyclists in Southern California.

Griffith Park has the same potential to be the site of an attack, with trails and mountain lion P-22 lurking freely. Yet, local government officials and the public will wait for the cute critter to do real damage before taking action. Citizen groups are looking to fund bridges or tunnels specifically to allow more mountain lions to cross freeways.

Last week, P-22 apparently expanded its menu to include a koala from the L.A. Zoo. Now, the zoo and nearby homeowners are locking up their vulnerable animals indoors at night. It is uncertain whether koalas will out-cute mountain lions, but humans do not compete on that scale.

P-22 needs to be removed.

George Harpole, Torrance

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