Freeways are a big problem for wild animals. When a freeway splits a habitat, many animals can’t safely travel from one side to the other. “Without a safe and sustainable wildlife crossing, movement between these remaining areas of natural habitat is severely restricted,” reads a statement on the state of California’s official website. “Wildlife within the Santa Monica Mountains is essentially trapped.”

Jeff Sikich is a wildlife biologist. He works for the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Sikich leads a mountain lion study there. He told TIME for Kids that the 101 freeway “is a major barrier” for the lions. It separates those living there from those farther to the north.

Read on at TIME for Kids: https://www.timeforkids.com/g56/wildlife-crossing-g5/?rl=en-900