The mountain lion photo that helped change Los Angeles

Steve Winter, a renowned photographer, had an unconventional idea for a photograph featuring a mountain lion in front of the iconic Hollywood sign. National Park Service biologist Jeff Sikich, upon hearing the proposal, doubted its feasibility, as he was unaware of any mountain lions residing in Griffith Park. Despite the skepticism, Winter pursued his vision for over a year.

Remote cameras were frequently tampered with, and equipment malfunctioned, but Winter's determination paid off when he finally captured a remarkable image of P-22, a mountain lion, traversing beneath the Hollywood sign at night. The tracking collar around P-22's neck was clearly visible in the photograph. This captivating image of P-22 not only brought the elusive creature into the public eye but also served as a symbol for the pressing challenges faced by wildlife in urban environments.

P-22 quickly became synonymous with the ongoing efforts to build the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing over U.S. Route 101, a project aimed at reconnecting fragmented habitats divided by one of Los Angeles' busiest freeways. This compelling narrative, captured by Winter and journalist Sharon Guynup, forms one of nine stories featured in their new book, "Big Cats."

The book delves into some of their most significant reporting endeavors, as discussed in a recent interview with Mike DiGirolamo, the host and producer of the Mongabay Newscast. The authors' exploration of a more controversial subject, Thailand's Tiger Temple, is also included in the book. Over a year-long investigation, Guynup and Winter exposed the temple's involvement in illegal wildlife trafficking and its lucrative operations as a tourist attraction, allowing visitors to pose with captive tigers. The Thai authorities eventually intervened, leading to the shutdown of the temple.