Tribes, researchers debate final fate of P-22, famed LA puma

By STEFANIE DAZIO
Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Southern California’s most popular puma gained fame as P-22 and cast a spotlight on the troubled population of California’s endangered mountain lions and their decreasing genetic diversity. After his death in December, wildlife officials and representatives from the region’s tribal communities are now debating his next act. Biologists and conservationists want to retain samples of P-22’s body for scientific testing to aid in future wildlife research. But representatives of the Chumash, Tataviam and Gabrielino (Tongva) peoples say his body should be returned, untouched, to the ancestral lands where he spent his life so he can be honored with a traditional burial. Meanwhile, Angelenos celebrated P-22’s life on Saturday at a memorial at the Greek Theater in Griffith Park.