THOUSAND OAKS  (AP) — Authorities say cars have killed three mountain lion kittens in Southern California in recent weeks — showing the dangers to a population surrounded by freeways and urban sprawl.

The National Park Service says a months-old kitten was struck in Malibu on Jan. 20 and two 10-month-old kittens died on Jan. 31 on State Route 126 in northwest Los Angeles County.

That route links the area to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, where about a dozen mountain lions live.

The area is surrounded by heavily developed areas and major highways.

The park service says 13 cougars have been struck and killed by vehicles in the past 12 years.

State agencies have long proposed building a $10 million tunnel so animals can safely cross under nearby U.S. 101.