In early 2015, a mountain lion known as P-28 was found dead in Griffith Park, Los Angeles. The cause of death was determined to be rat poisoning. This sparked a mystery about who had killed P-28 and why.
The investigation into P-28's death was led by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). CDFW officers interviewed dozens of people, including park rangers, hikers, and neighbors. They also searched P-28's territory for clues.
Despite their efforts, CDFW officers were never able to identify the person or people who killed P-28. The case remains open.
Possible Motives
There are a number of possible motives for P-28's death. Some believe that he was killed by a poacher. Others believe that he was killed by a homeowner who was afraid of him. Still others believe that he was killed by a rival mountain lion.
The Impact of P-28's Death
P-28's death had a significant impact on the mountain lion population in Griffith Park. He was one of the most dominant males in the park, and his death created a power vacuum. This led to increased competition among male mountain lions, which resulted in more aggressive behavior.
P-28's death also had a negative impact on the local ecosystem. Mountain lions play an important role in controlling the deer population. Without P-28, the deer population increased, which led to overgrazing and other environmental problems.
The Mystery Continues
The death of P-28 remains a mystery. It is a reminder that mountain lions are still threatened by human activity, even in urban areas.