Publications: KNBC-TV, City News Service, KTLA, and CBS Los Angeles 

UCLA Expert: Audra Huffmeyer, UCLA Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 

Synopsis: Multiple media outlets highlight a new UCLA-led publication which raises concerns for the local extinction of mountain lions. Cut off from other populations by freeways, cougars in the Santa Monica and Santa Ana mountains face defects associated with inbreeding.   

UCLA News: Specific research findings are highlighted in various articles, with lead author, Audra Huffmeyer, also being quoted. 

From KNBC-TV: "The animals averaged 93% abnormal sperm rate, while some also displayed physical signs of inbreeding, like deformed tails or testicular defects.” 

Audra Huffmeyer to City News Service: “This is a serious problem for an animal that’s already endangered locally.” 

From KTLA: “Both populations are hemmed … by busy freeways … making it difficult for them to mate with cougars outside their own territories.” 

From CBS Los Angeles: “While a few mountain lions — in particular the cougar known as P-22, who frequents Griffith Park — have successfully crossed freeways, far more have been killed trying …” 

Read more at KNBC-TV, City News Service, KTLA, and CBS Los Angeles.