Summary:
- A recent study published in *PNAS* indicates that the presence of mountain lions in California leads to a significant reduction in deer-vehicle collisions.
- Researchers estimate that by regulating deer populations and altering their grazing behavior, mountain lions prevent thousands of vehicle accidents annually, resulting in substantial savings in property damage and healthcare costs.
- The findings highlight the critical role of apex predators in providing "ecosystem services" that directly benefit human safety and infrastructure.