Mountain Lion “P-41” Seen in Burbank Area

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"P-41" has been seen in hills above Burbank

Within the past week, a mountain lion was spotted in the backyard of a residence in the hills of Burbank. The home is well above Sunset Canyon Drive and south of Magnolia Avenue. This mountain lion was seen on a homeowner’s surveillance system. The mountain lion can be seen carrying a raccoon in its mouth and had a tracking collar around his neck. The surveillance footage is attached.

The Burbank Police Department reached out the California Department of Fish and Game and the National Park Service. They learned this mountain lion is about eight years old and has been dubbed, “P-41” by the National Park Service, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area team who is studying and researching mountain lions in the region.

The team has been tracking “P-41” with a GPS collar since May of 2015. The tracking is not real-time and downloaded remotely. “P-41” is spending most of his time in the most natural areas of the Verdugo Mountains and the team biologists believe 95% of his diet has been in the form of mule deer. The Verdugo Mountains, as well as much of Southern California, is considered mountain lion territory and it’s believed these animals have lived in this area for generations. Mountain lions are solitary animals and sightings are relatively rare. At the request of the National Park Service, the exact location of the sighting is not being released.

According to Kate Kuykendall, Public Affairs Officer with the National Park Service, “There is no indication that ‘P-41’ has demonstrated any abnormal or aggressive behavior. He is in his natural habitat and taking his natural prey.”

Kuykendall can be reached by phone at 805-370-2343 or via email: kate_kuykendall@nps.gov

The following safety tips have been provided by the California Department of Fish and Game:

  • Do not feed deer; it is illegal in California and it will attract mountain lions.
  • Trim brush to reduce hiding places for mountain lions.
  • Keep your pet inside when mountain lions are most active – dawn, dusk, and at night.
  • Bring pet food inside to avoid attracting raccoons, opossums and other potential prey.
  • Do not leave small children or pets outside unattended.
  • Install motion sensitive lighting around your home.
  • Do not hike, bike or jog alone.
  • Avoid hiking or jogging when mountain lions are most active – dawn, dusk, and at night.
  • Never approach a mountain lion.
  • If you encounter a mountain lion, do not run; instead, face the animal, make noise and try to look bigger by waving your arms; throw rocks or other objects. Pick up small children. If attacked, fight back.

For questions concerning this issue, please contact Burbank Animal Control at (818) 238-3340 or Kuykendall. After hours, please contact the Burbank Police Department at (818) 238-3000.