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THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) — The National Park Service says biologists recently discovered two mountain lion kittens in the Santa Monica Mountains west of Los Angeles.
Jeff Sikich, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area biologist, says the births indicate the quality of the habitat is high for such a relatively urban area.
The park service said Thursday that Sikich suspected the mother, dubbed P-19, may have given birth because GPS showed she was in a limited area for three weeks.
Her den was found in a remote area at the west end of the range. Biologists implanted the female and male kittens with tracking devices, and DNA testing is underway to identify the father.
P-19's two previous litters resulted from inbreeding with her father. Another possibility is a newly discovered male line dubbed P-45.
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