Taken by Solomon Snyder, 29 October 2025
The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife crossing in Agoura Hills between Liberty Canyon and Chesebro might seem at first glance to be a just glorified bridge in the middle of nowhere, but this exalted edifice might just be the last, desperate chance for the survival of the critically endangered Santa Monica Mountain Lions.
It’s no secret that the mountain lion population of the Santa Monica Mountains is seriously endangered. The problem, as the National Park Service (NPS) explains, is that the habitats in the Santa Monicas are fragmented by numerous roads, and cut off from other habitats by the 101 freeway. These roads prevent mountain lions from mixing between habitats and have led to the lowest recorded genetic diversity of a population in the West. This low diversity could mean that mountain lions might “go extinct within 50 years without new genetic exchange,” according to one study cited by the Santa Monica Daily Press (SMDP). Unsurprisingly, a large number of mountain lions have also been killed in vehicle collisions. Furthermore, the National Park Service adds that the confined, closed off habitat of the Santa Monicas may have increased infighting among mountain lions (NPS).
The solution? As the Santa Monica Mountains Conservatory (SMMC) explains, to build a large wildlife crossing over the 101 Freeway at the critical point that will allow the most intermixing between the dwindling Santa Monica Mountain Lions and their neighbors in the Simi Hills.
This massive project, which the Santa Monica Daily Press reports as costing between $90 and $93 million, finished its first phase(—) crossing the 101(—) earlier this year. Now begins the second phase: extending the bridge over Agoura Road. All told, the bridge will involve creating and restoring a natural habitat of nearly 12 acres. Over 5,000 native plants will be planted in an effort to make mountain lions and other animals feel more at home on the bridge (SMDP).
None of this would be possible without the support of our amazing community. In addition to the $58.1 million donated by the state of California, more than $34 million have been contributed by other donors. The bridge is named after the contributor of the largest donation(—) $25 million(—) Wallis Annenberg (SMDP).
Will the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing save the mountain lions? That remains the crucial question. But regardless of the outcome, the fact remains that the Wildlife Crossing represents a step forward in human history. We humans are finally trying to help our fellow species with which we share this wondrous planet after centuries of greed and neglect. Whether it has come too late remains to be seen.
Sources:
- https://smdp.com/business/development/california-begins-final-phase-of-worlds-largest-wildlife-crossing/
- https://www.nps.gov/samo/learn/nature/pumapage.htm
- https://smmc.ca.gov/liberty-canyon-wildlife-c
