Snakes, bobcats, mountain lions: the secret animal world beneath the Hollywood sign
An international symbol for the city, the sign is also hallmark of the region’s environmental richness
TL;DR
- The Hollywood sign is located in Griffith Park, a large municipal park that is a refuge for wildlife due to public inaccessibility.
- Animals such as birds, snakes, and bobcats inhabit the area around the sign, with the famous mountain lion P-22 having been photographed nearby.
- A new AI fire-detection service using solar-powered sensors is being developed to monitor for fire outbreaks.
- Griffith Park is designated a Significant Ecological Area, supporting approximately 200 bird species, 50 butterfly species, and 40 mammal species.
- The Hollywood sign, originally a temporary advertisement, was rebuilt in steel in 1978 and has become a significant sense of place for Los Angeles.
- The area faces environmental challenges including earthquakes, climate change, and changing rainfall patterns.
- Caretakers are working on fire prevention, erosion control, and plans to plant native California flora to enhance the natural beauty around the sign.