A surprising visitor decided to hang out in the Santa Clarita neighborhood this past Friday. A 7-month-old mountain lion cub was found perched in a backyard tree. According to NBC Los Angeles, wildlife officials were alerted to the scene around 11 a.m., with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) promptly responding to monitor the situation.
The juvenile mountain lion's presence drew a local crowd, with residents noting the uncommonness of such a sight. "This is unique to have a mountain lion sitting in a neighbor's tree," Burt Dominguez told NBC Los Angeles. While the situation was unusual, the authorities indicated that the cub seemed healthy despite being separated from its mother. CDFW has advised the public, including pet owners, to be cautious and give the young lion space in hopes that it will reunite with its mother after dark.
Residents' concerns peaked with the cub's proximity to community hubs. "I was walking my dogs earlier on our normal walk, and I saw the sheriff set up, roped off with yellow tape, and he said, 'There’s a mountain lion,’" resident Mark Lange told KTLA. Lange, who described the cub as the "biggest cat I’ve ever seen," eventually returned to the area out of curiosity and a love for animals.
The situation is of particular interest because the region's mountain lion population has been deemed endangered, with efforts like the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing undergoing construction to aid their survival. The crossing, launched on Earth Day 2022, aims to facilitate safer habitats for these big cats and is scheduled for completion in 2026, as ABC7 reported. Meanwhile, wildlife officials plan to wait for the cub's mother to possibly return, preferring a natural reunion over intervention.
In an update from the CDFW's Facebook page, officials decided to wait until nightfall, stating that, "Upon investigation, it was determined the kitten likely got separated from its mother, and will look to reunite after dark." They urged the public to stay away, allowing the mountain lion cub a chance for a potential reunion with its mother.
