Readers React: Making L.A. freeways safe for wildlife

To the editor: The death of mountain lion P-32 last month brought an outpouring of grief and the realization that we risk losing these majestic creatures along with large swaths of Los Angeles’ original ecosystem. Through National Park Service research within and beyond the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, we were able to learn much about P-32 and other mountain lions. (“Caltrans proposes wildlife overpass on 101 Freeway,” Sept. 2)

With Caltrans submitting its wildlife overpass study, we now have the opportunity to give these majestic animals a better chance at survival. Park Service research was key to understanding the movement of these animals across the Ventura Freeway and ultimately led to the proposed overpass in Agoura Hills.

Mountain lions serve as barometers for the health of the overall ecosystem. My group, the National Parks Conservation Assn., supports the overpass as well as a proposal to expand the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and help protect habitat crucial to numerous threatened species.

Dennis Arguelles, Los Angeles

The writer is the Los Angeles program manager for the National Parks Conservation Assn.

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