A mountain lion was fatally struck by a vehicle Thursday on the San Diego (405) Freeway near the Getty Center, authorities said.
The animal was picked up at 5:48 p.m. by Caltrans workers, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Erik Larsen. The deceased mountain lion was found in the center divider of the freeway, Larsen said.
The state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife was also notified about the dead mountain lion but it was Caltrans that ultimately picked up the animal, Larsen said.
The CHP was notified of the dead animal on the northbound side of the freeway by a number of calls received from motorists, Larsen said.
On June 15, another mountain lion was found dead on the 101 Freeway near Agoura Hills, close to the site of future Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing.
Wildlife advocates hope the crossing can save the threatened local population of mountain lions from extinction, which could become inevitable if lions continue a historic pattern of inbreeding due to the limited numbers of cats in the area.