Memorial hike to be held in Griffith Park today for mountain lion P-22

A memorial sunset hike is planned at Griffith Park for Sunday, Dec. 18 to celebrate the life of P-22, the Los Angeles mountain lion who was euthanized Saturday because of severe injuries suffered in a likely car accident combined with serious health issues.

The local community is invited to participate in the hike, set to begin at 4 p.m. at Charlie Turner Trailhead, 2840 W. Observatory Road, according to City Councilwoman Nithya Raman’s office.

Also, officials at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County announced they plan to update “The Story of P-22, L.A.’s Most Famous Feline,” a permanent exhibit that debuted in 2017, in the coming year, with added stories, programs and more.

The museum recently debuted a P-22 marionette that allows a performing artist team to further bring his story to life.

“We are very saddened by the loss of P-22, an iconic ambassador for wildlife in Los Angeles,” said Miguel Ordeñana, Senior Manager of Community Science at the museum. “His passing is a painful moment, but we are so thankful for how he created a better understanding of the coexistence of urban wildlife, humans and L.A.’s biodiversity. His story is a catalyst for change, inspiring conservation efforts, including the 101 freeway wildlife crossing and much more.”

The mountain lion’s death brought sadness to many and drew reactions all over social media.

“RIP P-22,” community organizer Christian La Mont tweeted Saturday. “He wasn’t just a big cat. He was a symbol of resistance. Resistance to the idea that LA has no wildlife, to development in his own backyard, to dwindling numbers of mountain lions in SoCal. He lived his 9 cat lives to the fullest & captured our hearts.”

P-22’s own Twitter account had a bittersweet sign-off.

Someone asked the cougar to tweet from heaven.

The response: “I’m sitting here right now, with a magnificent single malt, some Sinatra on the hi-fi, and a gorgeous little bobcat named Helen.”

I'm sitting here right now, with a magnificent single malt, some Sinatra on the hi-fi, and a gorgeous little bobcat named Helen. https://t.co/1aU5xwl9iT

— P22 (@MountainLionP22) December 18, 2022