P-55, a young male mountain lion, faces tough odds for long-term survival in the Santa Monica Mountains/NPS

Two young mountain lions, suspected to be brothers, were fitted with GPS collars last month and added to a 15-year-old study of the big cats in and around Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

A DNA sample has been submitted for analysis to confirm that the subadult males, which were caught in the same spot in the western Santa Monica Mountains of California, are related. The park is still awaiting the results.

The mountain lions, dubbed P-55 and P-56, were born into a habitat fragmented by freeways and development, as well as territory claimed by dominant male lions. These challenges make it rare for males in the area to survive beyond the age of 2, according to the park. The National Park Service has been studying how mountain lions survive in the increasingly urbanized landscape since 2002. Researchers have monitored more than 50 mountain lions to collect detailed information about the animals' behavior.

In December and January, three mountain lions were struck and killed by vehicles on state Route 118, north of the recreation area. Since 2002, there have been 17 known cases of a mountain lion killed on a freeway or road in the NPS study area.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is responsible for overseeing the management and conservation of mountain lions in the state.