End of an era in California: a famous Los Angeles puma, known as “P-22”, had to be euthanized on Saturday.
The mountain lion lived in the hills outside Los Angeles, and has been garnering media attention ever since it was photographed in 2012 near the Hollywood letters.
He had to be transferred to San Diego on Monday for a full medical examination.
California State Department of Fish and Wildlife specialists had determined that the puma should be captured due to a possible collision between the animal and a vehicle the previous week.
After the medical examination, the veterinary teams pointed out that the mountain lion suffered from irreversible health problems and should be euthanized. He was 12 years old.
Cougar population in Southern California continues to decline, reports CNN.