SANTA MONICA, Calif. (KABC) — A mountain lion sighting disrupted a Santa Monica neighborhood Friday as police temporarily closed off some areas and urged residents to remain indoors while authorities worked to capture the big cat.
The animal was first spotted around 8 a.m. prowling in the city — far from its native environment in the hills. It was later seen hiding in the bushes of a home near 14th Street and Montana Avenue.
It ended up sleeping in someone’s backyard. Video from the scene shows that at one point the mountain lion ran into an alley where wildlife officials were waiting with what appeared to be tranquilizer guns.
Police blocked the alley with caution tape and multiple streets in the area were closed while the operation was ongoing. Residents were told to keep their pets indoors.
Officials were reportedly able to strike the animal with at least one of the tranquilizer darts and waited for the animal to fall asleep.
The big cat was last seen in a yard near the intersection of Euclid Street and Marguerita Avenue, north of Montana Avenue, but shortly before 7 p.m., wildlife officials were seen carrying the mountain lion into the back of a pickup truck after successfully tranquilizing the animal.
No injuries were reported.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife said the mountain lion will be evaluated and if healthy, it will be collared and released into the “nearest suitable habitat within the Santa Monica Mountains.”
City News Service contributed to this report.
Copyright © 2026 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.