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Coventina

(29,349 posts)
Tue Jan 27, 2026, 04:08 PM 13 hrs ago

S.F. mountain lion tranquilized, will be released into wild

San Francisco officials apprehended a young mountain lion that had been roaming near Lafayette Park in the heart of San Francisco for the last 30 hours.

Shortly before 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, a California Fish and Wildlife officer arrived with what appeared to be a tranquilizer gun and walked into the apartment building at California and Octavia streets attached to the yard where the lion was hiding. A shot sounded. Officials quickly brought in a cage.

“It is a male around 2 years old and 77 pounds. He is doing OK. Fish and Wildlife will take him and release him to a natural habitat,” said Mariano Elias, a spokesperson for the San Francisco Fire Department. The process took longer than expected because the lion was in a small spot between two buildings, Elias said, and it also had to be tranquilized several times. Officials then had to wait until they were confident it was unconscious. They covered its eyes and claws.

The drama unfolded in a gated area between two large apartment buildings, one seven stories high. Police had spotted the lion there around 2 a.m., Elias said. The area is about thirty feet wide with trees and brush that made it easy to hide. A school around the corner, Convent & Stuart Hall, was closed in case the lion became angry and ventured back out.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/mountain-lion-pacific-heights-21316657.php

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Yay for a humane capture and release!!

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S.F. mountain lion tranquilized, will be released into wild (Original Post) Coventina 13 hrs ago OP
This is not often the case w/ young animals searching for territory. maxsolomon 13 hrs ago #1
Boo! I would expect better from Seattle. Coventina 13 hrs ago #2
I live in the wild. Thanks shitloads. usonian 12 hrs ago #3

maxsolomon

(38,334 posts)
1. This is not often the case w/ young animals searching for territory.
Tue Jan 27, 2026, 04:17 PM
13 hrs ago

In Seattle they're usually killed. Black bear, Cougar.

usonian

(23,887 posts)
3. I live in the wild. Thanks shitloads.
Tue Jan 27, 2026, 04:43 PM
12 hrs ago

Hmmmm. I've seen a lot fewer deer and bunny rabbits recently.

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