Mountain Lion Stuck In Tree In OC Neighborhood

TUSTIN, CA — Orange County police, fire and wildlife agencies responded to a not-so-typical "cat up a tree" call Monday, Nov. 19, when a family reported that a mountain lion was stuck in a tree at Tustin home.

The mountain lion was discovered after a Tustin family noticed their dog had chased a "cat" up a tree Monday afternoon, the Tustin Police Department said in a statement.

According to the Orange County Fire Authority, the big cat had wandered into the yard of a home in the area of Irvine Boulevard and Holt Avenue before climbing up a tree.

Upon arrival of authorities, the mountain lion was tranquilized and captured without incident. He was cared for and prepared for transport by police, fire crews and biologists from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the OCFA said in a statement.

Ultimately, the big cat was taken to a processing center before being returned to the wild in the Cleveland National Forest.