Expert to give big cat talk Saturday

0
312
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area wildlife ecologist Seth Riley will discuss urban carnivores in the local mountains on Saturday. 

Wildlife expert and author Dr. Seth Riley will give a talk on carnivores in the Santa Monica Mountains on Saturday at King Gillette Ranch. Riley is the author of “Urban Carnivores: Ecology, Conflict & Conservation,” and he will be available to sign copies of the book after the presentation. 

“Studying how carnivores are impacted by urbanization and habitat fragmentation has been a lifelong interest of mine,” Riley said. “I’m excited to share what we’ve learned here in the Santa Monica Mountains with the public.” 

Riley has been researching the mountain lions, bobcats and coyotes of the local mountains for more than a decade. Mountain lions face a variety of challenges living in the area due to their large home ranges and territorial nature. Since the mountains are surrounded by freeways, ocean and an agricultural plain, living in the Santa Monica Mountains can be a challenge for urban carnivores, according to the National Park Service. 

The talk is co-sponsored by the Western National Parks Association and the National Park Service. 

The event takes place Sept. 7 at King Gillette Ranch, 26800 Mulholland Hwy, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, or to RSVP, contact 805.370.2302 or samo@ wnpa.org.