LIVING WITH MOUNTAIN LIONS
As urban sprawl continues to fragment natural habitats, mountain lions in Los Angeles have given us a tantalising glimpse of a world in which wildlife and humans can thrive in shared spaces
In my previous post, I wrote about a jogger in Trentino, Italy, who was killed after being attacked by a bear while out running. Bears had been reintroduced to the area as part of a rewilding project, and the attack led to a backlash against the animals. The tragedy highlighted the problems that can arise when apex predators are reintroduced to landscapes that are increasingly dominated by people. As urban sprawl continues to encroach on natural habitats, large predators face growing challenges—and so do the people who live nearby.
However, when people and large predators live in proximity, the outcome does not always have to be negative. A recent study revealed that mountain lions near Los Angeles are becoming more nocturnal, avoiding human activity during the day to reduce conflicts. While this adaptation shows their resilience, it also raises questions about how much we can—and should—ask wildlife to adjust.
So, how do we coexist with predators like mountain lions? Can humans and wildlife share space without stepping on each other’s paws?
Wildlife Habitat is Vanishing
Urban sprawl is like a slow-moving tide of concrete and steel, steadily encroaching on natural habitats and leaving wildlife scrambling to adapt. Nowhere is this more evident than in Los Angeles, where sprawling neighbourhoods, highways, and shopping centres have carved into the Santa Monica Mountains—a critical haven for wildlife, including mountain lions.
For these big cats, urban development means fragmented habitats, smaller territories, and limited mobility. Highways act as near-impenetrable barriers, isolating mountain lion populations and preventing them from roaming freely to find food, mates, or safer spaces. This isolation can lead to genetic bottlenecks, threatening the long-term survival of these populations.
In Los Angeles, mountain lions must then navigate a patchwork of urban infrastructure to survive. Some manage to adapt—but many others face deadly risks like vehicle collisions or territorial fights over the reduced amount of habitat that’s up for grabs. The challenge of the urban-wildlife interface is therefore balancing urban expansion with ecological preservation.
Natural Habitats and Human Spaces
Coexisting with mountain lions comes with its share of challenges, especially when their natural habitats overlap with human spaces. One of the most visible risks is to pets and livestock. Mountain lions, driven by hunger or shrinking territories, may attack unprotected animals, leaving pet owners and farmers frustrated and fearful. While attacks on humans are exceedingly rare, the mere idea of a predator lurking nearby can stoke public fear and lead to misunderstandings about these animals. Many people see mountain lions as a threat rather than a vital part of the ecosystem, which can fuel opposition to conservation efforts.
Mountain lions, however, face far greater risks from human activity than humans face from the lions. Urban sprawl has fragmented their habitats, with roads and highways acting as deadly barriers. Vehicle collisions are a leading cause of death for these cats, cutting their lives tragically short. Limited movement also leads to genetic isolation, weakening populations over time. Furthermore, as prey populations dwindle due to habitat loss, mountain lions must venture closer to human areas, increasing their vulnerability to conflict or even lethal control measures.
Balancing these risks is a delicate task. While humans and mountain lions may seem like natural adversaries, coexistence is not only possible—it’s necessary for the survival of both.
Behavioural Adaptations Save the Day
Mountain lions in the Los Angeles area are showing remarkable adaptability by adjusting their behaviour to avoid humans. Recent studies reveal that these big cats are becoming more nocturnal, shifting their active hours to nighttime when human activity is minimal. This behavioural change significantly reduces the chances of direct encounters with people, lowering the risks of conflict and danger on both sides.
However, these adaptations come with trade-offs. Mountain lions are naturally crepuscular, meaning they’re most active at dawn and dusk. By limiting their daytime activity, they may face challenges in hunting, mating, and maintaining their overall health. Hunting at night, for example, may reduce their success rate, while altered schedules could disrupt reproductive behaviours or increase stress levels, ultimately impacting the population’s long-term viability.
This pattern of adaptation isn’t unique to mountain lions. Urban raccoons, for instance, have become notorious night-dwellers, rummaging through garbage and avoiding humans. Similarly, coyotes, once diurnal hunters, now largely roam cities after dark. These shifts demonstrate how wildlife can adjust to human presence, but they also highlight a growing imbalance: as animals adapt to us, they must compromise their natural behaviours, potentially at great cost. Such adaptations underline the need for better coexistence strategies.
One effective solution comes in the shape of wildlife corridors, which reconnect fragmented habitats and allow animals to move safely. The Liberty Canyon Wildlife Crossing in California, set to be the largest of its kind, will provide mountain lions and other species a safe path over a busy highway, reducing deadly vehicle collisions and promoting genetic diversity.
The Importance of Thriving Rather Than Just Surviving
Coexistence with wildlife is more than a local issue—it’s part of a larger conservation movement that recognizes the interconnectedness of all life. As urban areas expand, we have an ethical responsibility to protect the species that share our planet. Mountain lions, like all wildlife, play a critical role in maintaining ecological balance. As apex predators, they regulate prey populations, which in turn supports the health of entire ecosystems.
Coexistence isn’t just about avoiding conflict or ensuring human safety; it’s about preserving biodiversity, which benefits everyone. Thriving ecosystems provide cleaner air, better water quality, and resilience against climate change. Allowing wildlife to survive and thrive in shared spaces is an investment in our own future. It’s not just about living alongside nature—it’s about ensuring its survival for generations to come.
My last home in TX gave me bobcat neighbors. The family lived in the sewer across from my front door. My crow friends would warn me to take care when bobcat mom would sun herself on my fence. We lived together in harmony.