A female mountain lion has successfully crossed the 101 Freeway from the Santa Monica Mountains, reported researchers. The National Park Service has revealed that the lion, termed as P-33 by wildlife staff, has left the Camarillo area on the farthest western end of the mountains.

The researchers have so far failed to determine the exact path of the lion, but are of the belief that the 16-month-old animal crossed the Conejo Grade sometime between midnight and 2:00 am on March 9.

"It's remarkable that this lion made it across the 101 alive. We are fortunate to have vast areas of undeveloped open space for these animals to roam. We need safe crossing locations for them to keep motorists and animals safe from collisions", said Linda Parks, Ventura County Supervisor and chair of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.

P-33 is the second mountain lion to have safely crossed the freeway since researchers started making efforts to study the area in 2012 to determine how the animals survive in an urbanized environment. The researchers also explained that the first lion to ever to successfully perform the task was P-33's grandfather.

Going by the GPS points, the lions being tracked by the researchers often come right up to the edges of the freeway and then turn around, said Dr. Seth Riley, a wildlife ecologist for the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreational Area. Riley said that it is very exciting to see a lion being able to learn to safely cross the freeway and reach other natural areas to the north.

Caltrans received $1 million earlier this year from the State Coastal Conservancy to study environment and come up with initial designs to construct the Liberty Canyon crossing.

The lion in question crossed the Conejo Grade between midnight and 2 am, said Linda Parks, Ventura County supervisor and chair of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.