Mountain Lion

Snakes, bobcats, mountain lions: the secret animal world beneath the Hollywood sign

An international symbol for the city, the sign is also hallmark of the region’s environmental richness Atop Mount Lee, in the heart of Los Angeles, the wind is quiet. Two red-tailed hawks sail above, barely flapping as they coast the thermal air like surfers on a wave. Standing beside the giant letters of the Hollywood sign, the city seems peaceful. On a clear day, blocks and blocks of homes unfold beneath and the skies reveal sights all the way to Catalina Island – 10 miles out, across the Pacific. That’s the beauty seen from the Hollywood sign. Continue reading...

The Guardian Environment · 10/5/2026

The mountain lion photo that helped change Los Angeles

Founder’s Briefs: An occasional series where Mongabay founder Rhett Ayers Butler shares analysis, perspectives and story summaries. A mountain lion in front of the Hollywood sign sounds almost too convenient. When photographer Steve Winter proposed the picture, National Park Service biologist Jeff Sikich thought he was crazy. There were, as far as Sikich knew, no […]

Mongabay · 9/28/2026

Grizzly reality: US states grapple with uptick in encounters between bears and humans

Bears are increasingly entering places where humans live in the US, forcing wildlife workers to make tough decisions Dan Thompson, supervisor of the large carnivore section of the Wyoming game and fish department, enjoys the field work of capturing mountain lions, wolves, black bears and grizzly bears to study them. “I have always been personally intrigued with carnivores and their role throughout any ecosystem,” Thompson said. “I actually feel very fortunate to get paid to do what we do.” Continue reading...

The Guardian Environment · 9/27/2026

‘Big Cats’ highlights the remarkable power of photojournalism

Jeff Sikich, the biologist for the National Park Service in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, thought that Steve Winter “was crazy” for wanting to capture a photograph of a mountain lion in front of the Hollywood sign. “He looked at me like I was crazy because he said, ‘There are no mountain lions in Griffith Park.’ […]

Mongabay · 9/15/2026