Mountain Lion Captured Near Newport Beach Elementary School

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — A mountain lion spotted roaming around a Newport Beach neighborhood Friday was captured after being hit by a tranquilizer dart, Newport Beach officials said.

The mountain lion was first reported walking near homes in the Port Streets neighborhood around 1:30 p.m., according to the Newport Beach Police Department.

John Pope, a spokesman for Newport Beach, said authorities were able to sedate the animal, and it was relocated by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife

"The presence of a mountain lion or other wildlife in this area may be attributed to the recent Laguna Beach Coastal Fire, which displaced wildlife from their natural habitat," Pope said.

The mountain lion's presence sent nearby Andersen Elementary School on high alert.

Tim Daly, a spokesman for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, said the mountain lion was most likely M317, a collared cat seen earlier this month in Laguna Beach. The mountain lion was also spotted near an Irvine shopping center in late March.