Corralitas Red Car Lion Safari Park*

Laughs from the past...April Fool's Post 2015

Photo: Shawnda Thomas Faveau, March 18, 2015.  Humans will have a chance to interact with lions for a hefty fee, once they've signed a waiver of liability.

There may yet be hope to save the Red Car Property as a wildlife preserve.  This afternoon, the mayor, along with property owner, in partnership with the zoo, announced a pride of African lions would be relocated to the Corralitas Red Car Property as part of the ongoing privatization of the zoo. 

The mayor said this was just another creative zoning technique and a part of ongoing efforts to preserve the open space in our hillsides west of the river while also revitalizing the river.  He's proposed the Exotic Endangered Species Breeding and Preservation Overlay Zone (EESBPOZ) which would include Griffith & Elysian Parks, the river, all unbuilt hillside parcels and K-zoned parcels (horsekeeping parcels) in Atwater.  

The mayor said, "The proposed EESBPOZ will give residents a chance to see exotic species right in their own backyards.  We expect to obtain a herd of giraffe next to help with tree trimming on those steep slopes on the Red Car Property."  

Why not a jaguar preserve in Elysian Valley; Amur leopards on the northeast slopes of Elysian Park; cayman in the river? The possibilities are limitless.  City Planning already approved the Komodo Dragon Preserve on Corralitas.

Parents at the local preschool are not happy about having to run the gauntlet of maneaters as they park on Corralitas Drive and walk their kids through Red Car Canyon to school.  The mayor responded, "Think of it as a teachable moment.  Not only will the parents and children bond with each other in a potential life and death situation, they'll gain a healthy respect for exotic non-native wildlife, all while working on their fitness." 

*DISCLAIMER: This post should NOT be used as proof of anything more than April Foolishness.  Photo by Shawnda Thomas Faveau was shot on the Corralitas Red Car Property, March 18, 2015.  It is a large Golden Retriever dog with a "lion" haircut.

Red Car Property: Feral Chihuahuas Make A Kill

April Fool's Post 2017

Photo: Red Car Property Neighbor March 31, 2017.  The marauding pack of Chihuahuas led by the little nasty white dog, was spotted yesterday feeding on a fresh kill on Lot C of the Red Car Property, near the construction fence. 

The vicious little wild dogs chased off the photographer who captured this rare photo and then they tried to kill his much larger dog.  The last documented sighting was in 2011. However, neighbors have long told of the marauding pack, known for chasing people; swarming large dogs; playing chicken with cars and escaping coyotes with their impressive speed.

This post should not be used as proof of anything other than April Foolishness...

However, the marauding pack of Chihuahuas is real and has been out and chasing people and dogs on Lot C this past week.  They now seem to have a mixed breed puppy with them.  They were photographed here eating "something yucky" in a trash bag near their reported home.  Additionally, they have indeed terrorized people walking on the Red Car Property for years.  Read more:
October 5, 2010
July 4, 2011

Red Car Property: High Surf Warning

April Fool's Post 2016

Photo: Diane Edwardson.  Early this morning, neighbors were alarmed to find a Killer Whale beached on the Red Car Property's Lot C.  Sea World was called to rescue the Orca but officials are not confident the whale would survive the road trip to San Diego. 

Some residents speculated the whale must have been an escapee from the mayor's planned Orca Park in the Elysian Valley Aquatic Preservation Zone, which includes Taylor Yard, in the soon to be revitalized LA River.  (Conditional Use Permits have not been issued for the Orca Park, as environmentalists are suing to block the salination of the LA River.)  The mayor has championed the Exotic Endangered Species Breeding and Preservation Overlay Zone (EESBPOZ) which would include Griffith & Elysian Parks, the river, all unbuilt hillside parcels between the parks and K-zoned parcels (horsekeeping parcels) in Atwater. 

The more likely scenario is the Orca is a member of a resident Southern California pod of Killer Whales that got caught in last night's high surf.  Why would anyone outside the actual coast take last night's high surf warning issued by the National Weather Service seriously?  The Red Car Property is a few hundred feet from the 5 Freeway and a couple of hundred feet above sea level. 

 

Disclaimer, the preceding portion of this post should not be taken as anything more than April Foolishness.  However... 

Actual High Surf Warning Map issued by the NWS on March 7, 2016.  This map has not been edited nor doctored. 

For months, whenever the NWS issued a High Surf Warning, the associated map showed the green warning area extending all the way to the 5 Freeway.  East of the 5 is the LA River. Maybe they need a new color for Urban Flood Advisory or LA River Flood Advisory does anyone more than a mile inland consider themselves as on the coast?

Enlarged from the previous map.  If the high surf reaches the Red Car Property or the 5 Freeway in Silver Lake, we're all in a lot of trouble. 

 

Corralitas Red Car Lion Safari Park*

April Fool's Post 2015

Photo: Shawnda Thomas Faveau, March 18, 2015.  Humans will have a chance to interact with lions for a hefty fee, once they've signed a waiver of liability.

There may yet be hope to save the Red Car Property as a wildlife preserve.  This afternoon, the mayor, along with property owner, in partnership with the zoo, announced a pride of African lions would be relocated to the Corralitas Red Car Property as part of the ongoing privatization of the zoo. 

The mayor said this was just another creative zoning technique and a part of ongoing efforts to preserve the open space in our hillsides west of the river while also revitalizing the river.  He's proposed the Exotic Endangered Species Breeding and Preservation Overlay Zone (EESBPOZ) which would include Griffith & Elysian Parks, the river, all unbuilt hillside parcels and K-zoned parcels (horsekeeping parcels) in Atwater.  

The mayor said, "The proposed EESBPOZ will give residents a chance to see exotic species right in their own backyards.  We expect to obtain a herd of giraffe next to help with tree trimming on those steep slopes on the Red Car Property."  

Why not a jaguar preserve in Elysian Valley; Amur leopards on the northeast slopes of Elysian Park; cayman in the river? The possibilities are limitless.  City Planning already approved the Komodo Dragon Preserve on Corralitas.

Parents at the local preschool are not happy about having to run the gauntlet of maneaters as they park on Corralitas Drive and walk their kids through Red Car Canyon to school.  The mayor responded, "Think of it as a teachable moment.  Not only will the parents and children bond with each other in a potential life and death situation, they'll gain a healthy respect for exotic non-native wildlife, all while working on their fitness." 

*DISCLAIMER: This post should NOT be used as proof of anything more than April Foolishness.  Photo by Shawnda Thomas Faveau was shot on the Corralitas Red Car Property, March 18, 2015.  It is a large Golden Retriever dog with a "lion" haircut.

Corralitas Komodo Dragon Preserve

April Fool's Post 2015

Photo: Diane Edwardson, March 30, 2015.

Komodo Dragons are coming to Corralitas Drive in Silver Lake!  At a press conference this morning, the mayor, together with a Corralitas Drive homeowner, announced the arrival of 6 Komodo Dragons, an endangered species, to the former Corralitas Panda Preserve. 

Four years of drought took its toll on the bamboo, making the Panda Preserve unsustainable.  The Chinese government recalled the Pandas to their home province of Hunan.

The mayor expressed his pride in "the creative zoning solution to allow an important California breeding program for an endangered species in a residentially zoned neighborhood, so close to schools and the LA River.  It's a win-win for the entire community."  

The Indonesian reptile, known to grow 9 feet long, weigh 200 lbs and can run 11 miles per hour, feeds on carrion, so there were quite a few health codes to get around hurdles to clear.  

The homeowner plans to sell close up viewing tours of the backyard preserve to help finance the aquisition of the Red Car Property, "Celebrities and politicians have been making reservations all week."

DISCLAIMER: This post should not be taken as proof of anything other than April Foolishness.  Photo is a 6" Fence Lizard shot in Red Car Canyon, March 30, 2015.

Corralitas Drive: ALERT! Mountain Lion Sighting In Silver Lake

APRIL FOOL'S POST 2014

Photo: Diane Edwardson, April 1, 2014.  Authorities are warning Red Car Property neighbors to stay in their homes & keep their children & pets inside, with their doors and windows closed.  A mountain lion was seen lounging on the patio of one of the last houses atop Corralitas Drive this morning.  

Rangers from Griffith Park were alerted when P-22, the Griffith Park mountain lion, slipped his radio collar.  The collar was found at the Mulholland Fountain around 5 AM this morning by a jogger who turned into the ranger station.  There was an unconfirmed report of the big cat had been seen near the miniature pony ride late last night.

P-22, a male, has started to roam from the park, most likely looking for love.  He was last seen on Hollyridge in the Hollywood Hills on March 5.  He has no competition for deer, his primary prey, in the park.  There have been no recent mule deer sightings in Silver Lake.

Every spring seems to bring a flurry of mountain lion sightings to this part of Silver Lake.  Usually the mountain lion sightings are on the other side of the hill, toward the Silver Lake Reservoir, near Hildago, at dusk.  Perhaps the big cat enjoys the scenic sunsets over the reservoir.  

It's possible the mountain lion took El Pueblo Trail Corridor from Griffith Park, along the hills adjacent to Riverside Drive, crossed just a 2 large streets overnight, then took the Red Car Property to Corralitas Drive, got lost, like so many people do, on its way to Elysian Park through the hills. 

If you believe this, you really need to check the calendar, and perhaps your eyes.  This post should not be used as proof of anything other than April Foolishness.  Notso is a semi-feral domestic short haired cat (photoshopped blonde), not so much a mountain lion.  Click here for what real mountain lion looks like.

Corralitas Drive: Giant Panda Preserve

Photo: Diane Edwardson, March 31, 2012, 6:03 PM.  Giant Pandas are shy creatures (even in captivity, it's hard to get a clear photo).  They hide among the two dozen species of bamboo planted at one large Corralitas lot.  (Click on photos to enlarge.)

As a creative way to stave off foreclosure and pay ever increasing water bills, one enterprising Corralitas Drive homeowner announced the opening of a Giant Panda Preserve on the grounds of a large, double, hillside lot. 

The homeowner is working in partnership with the Hunan Panda Preserve, officially sanctioned by the Chinese government.  Under the  loan agreement, any pandas born on the Corralitas site will be returned to the Chinese Provence of Hunan for wild release after 2 years.  Giant Pandas are an endangered species.

Photo: Diane Edwardson, March 31, 2012, 5:58 PM. Giant pandas eat 26 to 83 pounds of bamboo a day. 

The homeowner is grateful to have the blessings of the Mayor & City Councilmember as the R2 zoning restrictions were pretty tough to get around. At the public hearing last month, the City Councilmember remarked, "Those pandas are so cute & cuddly, how could you not want them next door to your house!" 

The Mayor saw it as a great commitment to trade with the China. "This is a win-win for Los Angeles and endangered species."  The Mayor also credited the Corralitas homeowner for arranging the panda loan, after the City again failed to secure pandas for the LA Zoo.

The homeowner is already eyeing vacant lots in the neighborhood, with the vision of expanding the Corralitas Panda Preserve.  "Since the native trees have already been cut down on the Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract and development seems to have already ground to a halt, I've submitted a bid to purchase the nearly 4-acre hillside tract.  It's perfectly suited to bamboo forest with its high water table."   

Photo: Diane Edwardson, March 31, 2012, 6 PM. 

The homeowner sees a 60' tall bamboo forest taking over the hills north of Elysian Park.  The Corralitas Red Car Property could be turned into a bamboo forest, but it's more arid than Semi Tropic.  The homeowner thinks with enough water, any lot can be turned into a non-native, invasive forest.  

The mile-long, 100'-wide shape of the Red Car Property is ideal for a tourist tram to view the pandas in the wild of Silver Lake.  The proximity of Allesandro Elementary School would provide a unique learning experience for the students who might never see a panda in the wild.

Disclaimer: This post should not be used for anything other than April Foolishness. 

Learn more about real conservation efforts for Giant Pandas: World Wildlife Fund.  

See also: San Diego Zoo Panda Cam.   

Red Car Canyon Lake: Late Cretaceous

Photo: Diane Edwardson. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Giant crocodiles (Deinosuchus) ruled the Red Car Property in the Late Cretaceous, 70 - 80 million years ago. The 30 - 40 foot long crocs hunted prey as large as themselves, including relatives of T.Rex. The Red Car Property was a swamp on the banks of the then mile-wide LA River.
Photo: Diane Edwardson. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

The supersized crocs, like their present-day relatives, were opportunistic feeders, preying on dinosaurs trapped in the mud of Red Car Canyon Swamp, now the site of Red Car Canyon Lake.

Recent footprints indicate smaller relatives of Deinosuchus still prowl the banks of Red Car Canyon Lake. Be careful after dark and keep your dogs on a leash!
Photo: Diane Edwardson, March 31, 2010. Footprints on banks of Red Car Canyon Lake. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Disclaimer: This post should not be used as proof of anything more than April Foolishness. However, the footprints are real, most likely made by a raccoon; giant crocodiles roamed North America in the Late Cretaceous, read about them on National Geographic.