The mountain lion known as P-22, who captured widespread attention for living in Griffith Park, one of the largest urban parks in the United States, will be honored with a bronze sculpture in Los Angeles. The monument, which is nearing completion, commemorates the cougar's unique story and his symbolic role in highlighting the coexistence between urban life and wildlife.
P-22 first made headlines in 2012 when biologists identified him as a mountain lion that had crossed a complex network of freeways—including at least 10 lanes of traffic—to enter Griffith Park from the Santa Monica Mountains. While other mountain lions have appeared in the park, P-22 was notable for becoming a familiar and enduring presence in the 4,200-acre wilderness area encircled by the city.
The sculpture, titled “Earth to City: Rhapsody of the Wild King,” was created by artist Adam Matano, who is based in Los Angeles but originally from Rhode Island. The larger-than-life piece depicts P-22 in a poised stance, with one paw on a rocky outcrop adorned with native plants such as prickly pear cactus and black sage, while his hind legs rest on a pedestal featuring images of the city as well as other local wildlife including skunks and western gray foxes. The mountain lion also wears the tracking collar used by researchers to monitor his movements.
The project was commissioned by Friends of Griffith Park, a nonprofit organization that initially installed the network of trail cameras that captured P-22’s presence. The group’s president, Gerry Hans, noted that their research demonstrated Griffith Park is not an isolated ecological island, but is increasingly constrained as urban development limits the movement of animals that historically roamed more freely across the region.
P-22 lived in and around Griffith Park for about a decade before biologists determined he was suffering serious health issues. He was euthanized on December 17, 2022, and was buried in a private ceremony conducted by members of a local Native American tribe.
The mountain lion’s story helped inspire the development of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, an overpass designed to allow animals to safely traverse the busy Highway 101. The crossing is expected to open later this year and is poised to be the world’s largest wildlife crossing.
The idea for the monument was launched in 2024 through a collaboration between Friends of Griffith Park and the National Wildlife Federation, soliciting designs to celebrate P-22’s legacy. Matano’s design emerged as the winner and is set to be installed near the Griffith Park visitor center. City officials approved the installation, with funding coming from private donations, notably a gift honoring the late Frank Randall. The project’s cost is currently below the initial estimate of approximately $250,000.
Laura Dominguez, a member of Los Angeles’s Cultural Heritage Commission and a USC historian, highlighted the significance of the monument in a city known for looking forward rather than commemorating historic figures through statuary. She expressed hope that the statue would remind residents and visitors alike that humans share the land with the natural world, particularly in spaces like Griffith Park, which serve as sanctuaries for wildlife amid urban surroundings.