Biologists say a mountain lion has been making an unusual trek in eastern Ventura County, crossing three major highways.
Researchers have a radio tracking collar on P-55, a young male mountain lion. P-55 came down out of the Santa Monica Mountains, and was caught on video in the backyard of a Newbury Park home last week. It nearly took a dip in a hot tub, when it walking across the covered spa and broke through it.
It crossed Highway 101, which a rare occurrence, and later crossed Highways 23, and 118 en route to the Santa Susanna Mountains. Researchers say the freeways act as barriers to mountain lion movement in their native habitat. A number of the big cats have been struck and killed by vehicles on highways in the region. An effort is underway to create a wildlife crossing in the Agoura Hills area.
