The public first heard about the rescue in a Facebook post from California Highway Patrol’s Ukiah office, describing how an officer discovered the battered mountain lion on State Route 20 near Willits. Working with the Mendocino Wildlife Association, “the feisty cat was caught and secured” before being sent to Sonoma Wildlife Rescue in Petaluma for treatment.
Doris Duncan, Executive Director of Sonoma Wildlife Rescue, reported that the young male suffered severe head trauma, likely from a vehicle strike, and passed away just 10 minutes after transport began.
CHP Officer Matt Holzhauer, who found the mountain lion, said he was “fighting to live,” prompting him to arrange for help from Fish and Game and Mendocino Wildlife rather than euthanizing it on the spot. Volunteers quickly assembled on the roadside to secure the cat, which Holzhauer said was “clearly in pain and stressed.”
Sadly, this young lion’s fate reflects a larger problem in California: a study from UC Davis found that between 2015 and 2022, one to two mountain lions were killed every week on California’s roads and highways. While the number of road deaths has dropped slightly, researchers are uncertain whether this is due to population decline or other factors.
???. We need to slow down and pay attention..!!! !!!
Help to protect and preserve our wildlife…???
I agree. ALL LIFE matters.
A mountain lion crossed right in front of my car about 7:30 last night on Hwy 128. Luckily it jumped off into the trees right before I got there!
as momma used to say, “it’s all fun n games until someone puts an eye out” or to relate to this matter you all gonna try to save the cougar until it takes one of your “2nd comings of Christ” out. and then you’ll be bitching about the security of et al. sorry, that’s just the way it is
We need more wildlife Crossings.
More? do we have any in California? The One that’s in Bay Area…
This was a huge favor to the deer population.