Officials rescue injured mountain lion cub found in Castaic roadway

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Fish and wildlife biologists have successfully captured an injured mountain lion cub in Castaic after it was spotted earlier Wednesday morning, officials confirmed to KTLA.

A search was launched after the injured cougar was found crouched in the middle of a residential roadway around 1 a.m., raising concern among residents and wildlife officials.

The cub, believed to have been hit by a car, was discovered near Hillcrest Parkway and Olympic Street, where people in the neighborhood saw the animal resting in the roadway and appearing to suffer from a medical issue.

Video from the scene showed the cub hunched low on the asphalt, largely motionless at times, before it eventually managed to get up and run off. The California Highway Patrol responded to block traffic while the animal was still in the roadway, officials said.

Authorities later reported that the cub’s mother and another mountain lion were also seen nearby. It was unclear whether the animals were reunited after the cub ran off or where the injured cub went.

In an update shared Wednesday afternoon, California Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists confirmed and shared video with KTLA of them finding and capturing the mountain lion — believed to be a female juvenile — in a nearby neighborhood. The extent of its injuries remained unknown, but officials said it will be taken to a care center for evaluation and that they are hopeful the cub will be reunited with its mother soon.

An injured mountain lion cub is seen in the roadway in Castaic before running off. January 2026. (RMG)

Mountain lion sightings are not uncommon in the hills surrounding Castaic, but the condition of the cub has prompted heightened concern about its wellbeing. Wildlife officials say locating the animal is important, particularly as Southern California’s mountain lion populations face increasing threats from habitat loss and fragmented terrain, including freeways that disrupt natural wildlife corridors.

Officials urge anyone who encounters an injured mountain lion to keep their distance and immediately contact the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. People are warned not to approach or attempt to help the animal themselves.

Wildlife experts note that mountain lions are most active at dawn and dusk and generally avoid humans when given space. Residents in mountain lion habitat are encouraged to stay alert, keep pets leashed, and report any concerning encounters to authorities.

KTLA has reached out to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for details on next steps. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

KTLA’s Omar Lewis and Alberto Mendez contributed to this report.

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Officials rescue injured mountain lion cub found in Castaic roadway

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