Volcanoes. Trees. Drunk butterflies. Mars missions. Slug sex. Death. Beauty standards. Anxiety busters. Beer science. Bee drama. Take away a pocket full of science knowledge and charming, bizarre stories about what fuels these professional -ologists' obsessions. Humorist and science correspondent Alie Ward asks smart people stupid questions and the answers might change your life.
P-22: The Life & Death of an L.A. Cougar with Miguel Ordeñana & Beth Pratt
Very special episode for a very special cat. The day after the legendary Los Angeles mountain lion P-22 took his last breath, we talked with Natural History Museum wildlife biologist Miguel Ordeñana about his decade-long study of P-22 after discovering him in Griffith Park. Beth Pratt of #SaveLACougars and the National Wildlife Federation also shares how P-22 fueled her passion for saving this species from extinction — and we hear what one animal meant to millions of Angelenos. Learn all about how a cougar got into a city park, how he survived the journey from home, what he ate, how he captivated the world and how he changed the way we see urban wildlife. Also: the circumstances that led to his death this week, and the legacy he leaves. This one means a lot to us, so share it if you can.
Visit Beth Pratt’s website and follow her on Instagram and Twitter
Follow P-22 on Instagram
Follow Miguel Ordeñana on Instagram
A donation went to the National Wildlife Federation #SaveLACougars
More episode sources and links
Other episodes you may enjoy: Felinology (CATS), Procyonology (RACCOONS), Raccoonology (PROCYANIDS), Cervidology (DEER), Field Trip: How to Change YOur Life Via the Natural History Museum, Aperiology (MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY)
Transcripts and bleeped episodes
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Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media
Transcripts by Emily White of The Wordary
Website by Kelly R. Dwyer
Theme song by Nick Thorburn