Cubs born and tagged

The last known female lion to roam the Santa Monica Mountains gave birth this summer to a litter of four cubs—which were promptly tagged with abdominal transmitters so scientists can follow them as they grow. The sire, the last known male in the mountains, is the puma called P-1 who last December was the target of a kill permit given to a property owner who had lost some goats. (The hunting license expired without being used.) Scientists give the cubs about a 50-50 chance of surviving a year, and the two male cubs face tougher odds. Each will need to leave the range and find new home turf or do battle with poppa, since mountain lions are very territorial. Story and pics in the LAT.