Baby Mountain Lion Caught Lounging on Tree Branch in Someone’s Backyard: ‘Mother May Come Back to Retrieve Her Cub’

A mountain lion cub was recently discovered lounging on a tree branch in a residential area of Santa Clarita, California. The adorable feline, believed to be around 7 months old, was found resting in the backyard of a local homeowner’s property. Concerned residents alerted the authorities, who quickly responded to the scene. Upon investigation, officials determined that the cub had likely become separated from its mother and was waiting to reunite after dark.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) advised the public to steer clear of the mountain lion cub to give it the best chance of reuniting with its mother. The cub was observed leaving the area and making its way back into the wild on Friday evening. A heartwarming video shared on Facebook by the CDFW captured the cub perched on a tree branch, with its long tail dangling in the air as a curious squirrel approached.

Local reports revealed that the sighting took place near an elementary school and a community pool, adding an element of surprise to the residents’ routine day. Prior to settling on the tree branch, the mountain lion was seen wandering near a bridge in the vicinity. At the scene, wildlife officers and scientists from the CDFW were considering the option of tranquilizing the cub to safely relocate it back to its natural habitat.

Residents in the area, like Mark Lange, were astonished by the rare encounter with the mountain lion. Lange recounted his interaction with law enforcement who had cordoned off the area, alerting him to the presence of the wild animal. Mountain lions, also known as cougars, are designated as a specially protected species in California and have not been hunted in the state since 1972. Despite their fierce reputation, mountain lions typically avoid interactions with humans and seldom pose a threat.

In California, there have been fewer than 50 verified mountain lion attacks on humans since 1890, with only six of these incidents resulting in fatalities. The successful return of the mountain lion cub to the wild serves as a heartening reminder of wildlife coexisting alongside human communities. The CDFW encourages residents to report any sightings of wildlife in urban areas promptly to ensure the safety of both animals and the public.

As the sun set on Santa Clarita, the young mountain lion cub ventured back into its natural habitat, offering onlookers a glimpse of the beauty and resilience of nature. The heartening conclusion to the cub’s brief city excursion highlights the importance of respecting and protecting wildlife in shared environments. By fostering harmony between humans and animals, communities can create a safer and more sustainable ecosystem for all inhabitants to thrive.