Home Science Local extinction of Southern California mountain lions possible within 50 years

Local extinction of Southern California mountain lions possible within 50 years

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Two isolated mountain lion populations in southern California’s Santa Ana and Santa Monica Mountains are at risk of local extinction, perhaps as soon as within 50 years, according to a study published in the journal Ecological Applications. The extinction risk is due to low genetic diversity and mortality that affects the stability of the population. But increasing connectivity could help.