Orange County CA lion roadkill

[Emily]

http://www.ocregister.com/news/mountain ... ada-county

Thursday, February 7, 2008
Mountain lion found dead on 91 freeway
Big cat spotted on westbound side near O.C.-Riverside County border early this morning.
By SALVADOR HERNANDEZ
The Orange County Register
Comments | Recommend
A mountain lion was found dead on the 91 freeway early this morning, authorities said.
During rush hour this morning, the California Highway Patrol received several calls regarding a large animal lying on the far-right lane on the westbound side of the 91 freeway, said CHP officer Denise Quesada.
The cat was spotted near the Riverside-Orange County border, she said.
Commuters entering Orange County from the Inland Empire spotted the large animal just before 6 a.m. Not used to seeing mountain lions on a busy freeway, several drivers described the mountain lion as a large dog, Quesada said.
"It's really rare," said Ryan Drabek, spokesman for the county's animal control department, referring to mountain lion sightings near freeways. The noise, lights and constant movement usually deter the animals from wandering into traffic.
California Department of Transportation crews and animal-control workers were sent to clear the area and remove the cat, Quesada said. The road was completely cleared at 6:59 a.m.
Drivers have spotted mountain lions near the 241 and 261 toll roads before, Quesada said, in areas with open hills that have been recently developed.
"It's not common but it does happen," she said.
The cat appeared to have been struck by a vehicle, but the CHP never received a call of someone hitting a mountain lion or any other animal in the area.
"Whoever hit the mountain lion, it hasn't been reported," Quesada said.
Contact the writer: shernandez@ocregister.com or 949-454-7361
ADVERTISEMENT