Wayward Mountain Lion Captured In Calif. Suburb

PLEASANTON, CA — Police and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife cornered a young mountain lion spotted in the 3800 block of Hopyard Road in Pleasanton Monday evening. Authorities tracked the animal to some bushes located at 3825 Hopyard Road, which is a commercial development near West Las Positas Boulevard.

Police said they administered four doses of tranquilizer while trying to safely capture the male puma, which is believed to be about 9 months to a year old. Officials said the wayward mountain lion was released back into the wild several hours later.

At the beginning of the evening commute, police were forced to block several lanes of Hopyard Road and residents were asked to avoid the area while authorities searched for the big cat.

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In August, mountain lion sightings were reported near the Vintage Hills area of Pleasanton. Police said the sightings are normal during the warmer months.

While it would be rare for a mountain lion to approach humans, you can follow a few simple rules to keep you and your family safe:

• Do not feed deer. It is illegal in California and it will attract mountain lions.
• If you see a mountain lion DO NOT APPROACH IT, especially one that is feeding or with offspring. Most mountain lions will try to avoid confrontation.
• Keep a close watch on small children when hiking or traveling in or about wooded areas.
• If you encounter a mountain lion, do not run; instead, face the animal, make noise and try to look bigger by waving your arms; throw rocks or other objects. Pick up small children.

See Also:

• Mountain Lions Wrestle On Santa Cruz County Porch

Photo 1 courtesy California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Photos 2, 3 courtesy Dylan Johnson