Chilled-out mountain lion leads to lockdown of SoCal neighborhood: ‘Just trying to relax’

It was a wild scene in one Los Angeles County neighborhood after residents spotted a female mountain lion cruising the streets of San Dimas in the middle of the day.

The LA County San Dimas Sheriff Station said their deputies responded to a call of a lion seen roaming along Foothill Avenue between San Dimas Avenue and San Dimas Canyon Road on Friday morning. 

The department urged the locals to avoid the area, stay alert and use caution, until officials with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife could safely capture and relocate the big cat.

Residents were also encouraged to bring their pets inside and remove any possible food sources outdoors that could attract the wild animal.

Images from the scene showed the big kitty lounging on the sidewalk near some shrubbery and under a tree.

The area was blocked off by deputies who secured the area until wildlife officials arrived.

Around 11 a.m. a wildlife official fired two tranquilizer darts at the lion, ABC7 reported.

One hit the lion, but the animal proceeded to chew on it before spitting it out. About a half hour later, officials approached the sleepy lion and used a transport tarp to take the animal out of the neighborhood.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed it responded to the scene after getting a call about an injured mountain lion. 

“Preliminary observations indicated the animal was injured and Department staff subsequently chemically immobilized the mountain lion to conduct a field assessment,” the CDFW told The California Post.

“We can confirm the mountain lion is female. The field assessment was inconclusive, although biologists observed signs of external injuries.”

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Many people have reacted to the news on social media, concerned about the lion’s condition. One person said the animal was “just trying to relax.”

“I’m glad she was safely relocated. She looked terrified. She knew she was in the wrong place. Glad she’s back in a safe place,” another added.

“Poor kitty is ‘leave me alone; I’m trying to nap,’” a third wrote.

The CDFW said the lion is being transported to a veterinarian for a more thorough examination to find the source of her injury, but noted “vehicles are one of the leading causes of wildlife mortalities in the county.”