Two new litters of mountain lion kittens found, and boy are

Two new litters of mountain lion kittens were found in the Santa Susana Mountains. These kittens were identified as P-48 and P-49. (National Park Service)

Two new litters of mountain lion kittens found, and boy are they cute

Two litters of fluffy, blue-eyed mountain lion kittens born to two different mothers, but with the same father, were recently discovered in the eastern Santa Susana Mountains, officials said.

Researchers from the National Park Service found five small, adorably furry kittens last month in the large mountain range, which connects mountain lion populations in the Santa Monica Mountains and Los Padres National Forest.

Mountain lions in the area appear to be reproducing successfully despite a variety of natural and man-made challenges, including busy freeway traffic.

“The real challenge comes as these kittens grow older and disperse, especially the males, and have to deal with threats from other mountain lions and also road mortality and the possibility of poisoning from anticoagulant rodenticide,” said Jeff Sikich, a biologist with the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

Read more: www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-new-kittens-mountains-lions-20160706-snap-story.html