LA’s celebrity mountain lion P-22 'compassionately euthanized' after tragic health evaluation results

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It is thought that the big cat, which is about 12 years old was captured for evaluation at 11.30 am on Monday, December 12, after being tranquilized with tranquilizer darts in the neighboring Los Feliz district, according to a joint release from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife and the National Park Service as reported by NBC News. The night before his capture, an anonymous caller had reported a vehicle collision with a mountain lion a few blocks south of Griffith Park, and P-22’s radio collar placed him nearby, officials said.

The P-22's extensive tests and screens confirmed the injuries to the mountain lion's head, right eye, and internal organs, the CDFW said. He would have needed extensive surgery to restore the damage to his internal organs. The test as per the department's news release also uncovered serious pre-existing ailments, such as prolonged weight loss, severe parasite skin infection across his entire body, localized arthritis, and irreversible renal disease, all of which contributed to the sad worsening in P-22's general health.

They further mentioned that there was no positive outcome as the poor condition of P-22 indicated more underlying conditions. "P-22’s advanced age, combined with chronic, debilitating, life-shortening conditions and the clear need for extensive long-term veterinary intervention left P-22 with no hope for a positive outcome. His poor condition indicated that he may also have had additional underlying conditions not yet fully characterized by diagnostics," the report read.

The team said that the "Mountain lion P-22 has had an extraordinary life and captured the hearts of the people of Los Angeles and beyond. The most difficult, but compassionate choice was to respectfully minimize his suffering and stress by humanely ending his journey." "In light of the animal's condition, the medical team at San Diego Zoo Safari Park and the CDFW unanimously recommended "compassionate euthanasia under general anesthesia," and made the decision to do so on Saturday, December 17," the report said.

The big cat captured the imagination of famed nature photographer Steve Winter, who set up a camera trap beneath the Hollywood sign. He waited over a year before P-22 sauntered into the frame. The photo got spread in National Geographic, and a star was born. "It gave people hope, because they're living in this big urban area, and they have this park they walk into that was actually wild with a California cougar," Winter said. "He became a celebrity in the city of celebrities," reported BBC.