A San Dimas neighborhood was temporarily placed on alert Friday morning when a female mountain lion was spotted walking through the streets in broad daylight. Deputies from the LA County San Dimas Sheriff Station responded to reports of the animal on Foothill Avenue between San Dimas Avenue and San Dimas Canyon Road.
Residents were advised to avoid the area, remain alert, and keep pets indoors. They were also encouraged to remove potential food sources from their yards that might attract wildlife. Officials from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) were dispatched to the scene to safely capture the animal.
Images from the scene showed the mountain lion resting on a sidewalk near bushes and under a tree. Deputies cordoned off the area until wildlife officials arrived.
Around 11 a.m., a wildlife official successfully tranquilized the mountain lion with two darts. After the animal appeared to spit out one dart, officials approached and used a transport tarp to move the lion. The CDFW confirmed they responded to the call, stating that preliminary observations indicated the animal was injured. A field assessment was inconclusive, though external injuries were noted.
The CDFW is transporting the mountain lion to a veterinarian for further examination to determine the cause of her injuries. The department noted that vehicles are a significant factor in wildlife mortality in the county.