ESCONDIDO, CA – A quiet Escondido neighborhood turned into a massive local spectacle Monday afternoon as police and wildlife officials worked for hours to capture a mountain lion hiding under a parked vehicle.
The Sightings
The incident began around 1:30 p.m. when the Escondido Police Department received reports of a mountain lion near homes and businesses at the 700 block of N. Grape St. The large feline was first spotted in an apartment complex parking lot, where it took shelter underneath a pickup truck.
Police quickly cordoned off the area, and nearby schools were put on high alert. Drone operations and “SkyRanger 7” monitored the animal from above as officers with drawn weapons kept a safe distance.
The Capture Operation
After more than three hours, a California Department of Fish and Wildlife officer successfully fired a tranquilizer dart at the animal. The mountain lion hopped a fence and sought shade under a tree before a second dose of sedation took effect.
By 7 p.m., officials safely loaded the unconscious animal into a crate for transport. Its future destination has not yet been confirmed by Fish and Wildlife authorities.
“Chisme” and Crowds
Despite police warnings to stay away, the operation drew hundreds of curious residents to the police line. One neighbor was even spotted eating popcorn while watching the scene unfold.
“I really like the chisme [gossip], so I just came out here for it,” said 11-year-old neighbor Berenice Morales, who noted it was unusual but “interesting” to see a mountain lion so far from the mountains.
