A puma was killed when he was struck by a car as he tried to cross Highway 17 near Santa Cruz last week, according to reports.
The Santa Cruz Sentinel notes that wildlife cameras had previously recorded the big cat coming close to crossing the road near Laurel Curve but turning away due to traffic.
This time, there was a female cat across the street that he may have been attempting to "mate with," according to wildlife experts.
The mountain lion, described as a "young male," died at about 8 p.m. Thursday, officials told the newspaper.
There are efforts afoot to dig a tunnel underneath the well-trafficked highway between the beach town and the South Bay to allow cats and other animals to cross, the newspaper reported.
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