Cougar with 9 Lives Captured by Santa Monica Police North of Montana, After 8 Hour Pursuit

On Friday, May 29, 2026, a mountain lion — popularly known as a cougar — made a dramatic appearance in a quiet residential neighborhood north of Montana Avenue on 14th Street in Santa Monica. What began as an evasion saga, with the elusive big cat slipping through initial containment efforts, ended successfully when California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) biologists tranquilized, examined, collared, and relocated the animal.

The Sighting and Prolonged ResponseResidents first spotted the mountain lion around 714 14th Street in the morning. One homeowner described initially mistaking it for a large house cat before realizing its true size as it lounged calmly in her backyard vegetation. Social media lit up with videos and photos of the relaxed feline hiding among bushes just feet from homes.

Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) responded swiftly, closing streets in the 700 block of 14th Street and urging residents to stay indoors, secure pets, and avoid approaching or photographing the animal. Officers collaborated with CDFW biologists and local animal control throughout the day. Helicopters assisted in tracking, and the operation extended for hours as the cougar moved through the neighborhood.

Successful Capture by CBS-Reported Efforts

According to CBS Los Angeles, CDFW staff coordinated with law enforcement to locate the lion. After assessing the situation for several hours, biologists decided on capture and collaring for relocation. At around 3:40 p.m., officials found the animal and fired several tranquilizer darts, with at least one striking successfully. Once immobilized, the team examined the healthy adult cougar, measured its body size and shape (morphometrics), fitted it with a GPS collar, and relocated it to suitable habitat in the nearby mountains. No injuries were reported to humans, pets, or the lion itself. cbsnews.com at 6 pm, SMPD announced they had their man, or cat.

The calm demeanor of the cat throughout the incident aligned with typical mountain lion behavior — they generally avoid humans and only enter urban areas when pushed by habitat needs or prey movement.Historical Context of Mountain Lions in Santa MonicaMountain lions (Puma concolor) have called the Santa Monica Mountains home for thousands of years. Indigenous Tongva people knew them as tukuurot. Today, a small, isolated population of about 10–15 adults and subadults survives amid heavy urbanization in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.National Park Service researchers have tracked over 100 individuals (designated with “P-” numbers) since 2002. Iconic cases like P-22, the “Hollywood Cat” who crossed freeways into Griffith Park, highlight both the resilience and vulnerabilities of these animals: habitat fragmentation, vehicle strikes, rodenticide poisoning, disease, and inbreeding. The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, nearing completion, offers hope for better connectivity.

Urban sightings remain uncommon but notable. In 2012, a young female mountain lion that reached downtown Santa Monica near the Third Street Promenade was euthanized after tranquilization attempts failed — a contrast to this successful, non-lethal outcome.This Friday’s event, covered extensively by CBS Local and other outlets, underscores the wild-urban interface in Santa Monica. Authorities emphasized public safety while prioritizing the animal’s welfare. Residents are reminded to secure trash, pet food, and livestock to reduce attractants, supervise children and pets outdoors, and report future sightings promptly. With the cougar now safely back in its natural range, the neighborhood has returned to normal — a reminder of the remarkable wildlife persisting on the edge of one of America’s largest cities.