Mountain lion eyed in koala mauling at Los Angeles Zoo
LOS ANGELES -- A 14-year-old koala living at the Los Angeles Zoo has been mauled to death by a predator, CBS Los Angeles reports.
According to the zoo, a koala named Killarney was found dead outside of its pen a week ago. Officials found a puff of fur on the ground near the exhibit. An hour later, Killarney's remains were located 400 yards from where she was living.
Zoo officials believe Killarney was an easy target as she liked to stay on the ground rather than hang in the trees.
Officials believe the koala may have been mauled to death by an infamous 7-year-old, 130-pound mountain lion known as P-22, who has become the mascot of the city's Griffith Park.
Surveillance video captured P-22 climb into the zoo enclosure on Wednesday night.
"Unfortunately, these types of incidents happen when we have a zoo in such close proximity to one of the largest urban parks in the country," Deputy Mayor Barbara Romero said in a statement. "... The koalas have been removed from their public habitats for now and other animals are being moved to their night quarters when the zoo closes."
A city councilman said the mountain lion may need to be relocated.
"Regardless of what predator killed the koala, this tragedy just emphasizes the need to contemplate relocating P-22 to a safer, more remote wild area where he has adequate space to roam without the possibility of human interaction," City Councilman Mitch O'Farrell said in a statement.
"P-22 is maturing, will continue to wander and runs the risk of a fatal freeway crossing as he searches for a mate," O'Farrell said. "As much as we love P-22 at Griffith Park, we know the park is not ultimately suitable for him. We should consider resettling him in the environment he needs."
It remains unclear when zoo officials will move the koalas back into their exhibit.
The investigation is ongoing.