Overview
- The mountain lion was reported near 14th Street and Montana Avenue on Friday, prompting a coordinated response from Santa Monica police, local animal control and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
- Residents captured video and aerial footage of the cat moving through alleys, trash cans and sidewalks as streets were temporarily restricted and onlookers gathered.
- After hours of tracking, CDFW biologists tranquilized the animal, conducted a health check, fitted a GPS collar and relocated it to nearby suitable habitat.
- Authorities said there were no reported injuries and urged people to stay indoors, keep pets inside and call 911 to report any sightings from a safe distance.
- CDFW estimates there are roughly 4,000–6,000 mountain lions in California, calls that a rough figure, and says GPS collars are used temporarily to monitor movements and reduce repeated urban captures.