3 young cougars found dead in Santa Monica Mountains park

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Officials say three young mountain lions have been found dead in the Santa Monica Mountains.

The National Park Service says a young female dubbed P-34 was found on a hiking trail on Sept. 30.

Park service ecologist Seth Riley says it appears the cougar ate rat poison.

Meanwhile, officials say the remains of two 3-month-old cougar kittens were found the same month in a remote area of the mountains north of Los Angeles.

They appear to have been attacked by an adult mountain lion.

Riley says that's not uncommon when the free-ranging animals are forced into fairly tight quarters.

The rugged recreational area is hemmed in by several busy freeways and numerous homes.

About a dozen other cougars are thought to live in the area.