P-22: The Life & Death of an L.A. Cougar with Miguel Ordeñana & Beth Pratt
An iconic shot of the cougar P-22 foregrounded with the Hollywood sign moonlit behind him. Photo by Steve Winter
Very special episode for a very special cat. The day after the legendary Los Angeles mountain lion P-22 took his last breath, we talked with Natural History Museum wildlife biologist Miguel Ordeñana about his decade-long study of P-22 after discovering him in Griffith Park. Beth Pratt of #SaveLACougars and the National Wildlife Federation also shares how P-22 fueled her passion for saving this species from extinction — and we hear what one animal meant to millions of Angelenos. Learn all about how a cougar got into a city park, how he survived the journey from home, what he ate, how he captivated the world and how he changed the way we see urban wildlife. Also: the circumstances that led to his death this week, and the legacy he leaves. This one means a lot to us, so share it if you can.
Listen via Stitcher, Apple, Podbay, Podcast Addict, Spotify, Overcast, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Visit Beth Pratt’s website and follow her on Instagram and Twitter
Follow Miguel Ordeñana on Instagram
Follow P-22 on Instagram
A donation went to the National Wildlife Federation #SaveLACougars
Links to things we discussed:
When Mountain Lions Are Neighbors: People and Wildlife Working It Out in California
How a Lonely Cougar in Los Angeles Inspired the World | Beth Pratt | TEDxYosemite
P-22 does not change his name for Hollywood
In-depth news conference about his injuries and illnesses
Footage of P-22 via the Natural History Museum
More on P-22 under a house end of video, loose all the time…
Why we say “the” before freeways
Steve Winter’s photography work
The Cat That Changed America documentary
The mysteries of Griffith Park
Griffith J. Griffith’s donation of the land
A Tale of Two Lions: P-41 and P-22 Underscore Challenges for Non-Human Urban Dwellers
P-22 Presents...Indigenous Voices with Alan Salazar
Alan Salazar’s blessing of the Wildlife overpass
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Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and engineering by Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media
Transcripts by Emily White of The Wordary
Website by Kelly R. Dwyer
Theme song by Nick Thorburn