A young female mountain lion was captured, then released, after someone sighted it in the backyard of a Santa Cruz residence Saturday night.
The mountain lion was later successfully returned to a suitable habitat after it was tranquilized, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).
The department's Facebook page said the animal was located with the help from Santa Clara and Santa Cruz wardens on Escalona Court just north of Highway 1.
A deer carcass that the lion had been eating was found nearby, and CDFW said that the lion may have been attracted to the area by the large numbers of deer in the neighborhood.
There was also evidence that the deer were being fed by local residents. The department wanted to remind residences that feeding wildlife was illegal and dangerous and can bring predators into neighborhood.
CDFW Wildlife Officers tranquilized and safely captured a young female mountain lion Saturday night after a report of...
Posted by California Department of Fish and Wildlife on Sunday, February 21, 2016
Santa Cruz LionVideo of the young female lion being released safely back into habitat.
Posted by California Department of Fish and Wildlife on Sunday, February 21, 2016
