Mountain Lion Captured After Numerous Sightings in San Francisco’s Pacific Heights
A mountain lion was captured in San Francisco’s Pacific Heights neighborhood after several days of sightings. The two-year-old, 77-pound feline was located early Tuesday morning near California and Octavia Streets, where it had taken refuge behind a black fence between two buildings. Wildlife officials tranquilized the animal for safe removal, highlighting the challenges of urban wildlife interactions.
Mountain Lion’s Journey Through San Francisco
The mountain lion was first spotted wandering the streets near Lafayette Park on Sunday night. Over the next two days, it was seen multiple times in various locations around the Bay Area. A significant sighting occurred when resident Roxanne Blank encountered the lion near her apartment. She described their five-minute stare as a profound experience.
Response from Officials
Animal Care & Control and California Department of Fish and Wildlife worked together to ensure the lion’s safe capture and relocation. San Francisco Supervisor Stephen Sherrill noted the likelihood of the animal emerging from its hiding spot as officials prepared to sedate it. Residents were concerned yet fascinated, expressing hopes that the lion would be relocated to a natural habitat.
- Initial sighting: Lafayette Park, Sunday night.
- Captured location: California and Octavia Streets, Tuesday morning.
- Weight: 77 pounds.
- Age: 2 years.
Public Reaction
Residents watched the capture unfold from their balconies, with some applauding when the mountain lion was successfully sedated. Lieutenant Mariano Elias from the San Francisco Fire Department confirmed that the process required multiple darts to ensure the animal was fully unconscious. The lion, previously tracked and tagged, was healthy enough to be released back into the wild immediately after capture.
Future of the Mountain Lion
Fish and Wildlife officials did not disclose the exact release site but indicated it was a safe area away from other male mountain lions in the region. This incident recalls a similar event in June 2020 when another mountain lion roamed the city for several days before being captured near Oracle Park. Unfortunately, that lion was later killed in a tragic car accident after its release.
This recent capture serves as a reminder of the ongoing interactions between wildlife and urban environments in San Francisco and the Bay Area.
