Tales of the Urban Wild: A Puma's Journey

For two young mountain lion brothers born in central California, where cityscape meets the wilderness, life isn’t easy. Soon after their mother leaves them to fend for themselves, a dominant male puma attacks, sending them running. The brother who dashes across a treacherous highway is hit by a truck and killed. The brother who hides up a tree survives. And so the journey begins. Tales of the Urban Wild: A Puma’s Journey follows the lone brother, who local scientists tag as C-8, as he navigates what humans have done to the landscape.

Drawing from meticulous research, conservation scientist Tiffany Yap weaves together many diverse animal and human stories, including the beauty and wonder of ecology, interconnectivity, and representation. With artist Meital Smith’s spectacular illustrations in the rich golds and earth tones of central California, this debut graphic novel inspires and teaches us what it means to share and protect this earth together.

All proceeds benefit the non-profit National Wildlife Federation’s #SaveLACougars campaign to build the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing and advance connectivity efforts in Southern California and beyond. The Wallis Annenberg Crossing broke ground in 2022 and is advancing toward completion in 2026. Building on significant historic preservation efforts, we are reconnecting a vital habitat corridor to help save the local population of mountain lions and ensure a future for all wildlife in the Santa Monica Mountains.