Update: Mountain Lion Found in San Mateo Backyard Tranquilized

Updated May 18 at 9:50 p.m.

Image used with permission courtesy KPIX CBS 5

Bay City News Service Contributed to this report

California Department of Fish and Wildlife officials and San Mateo
police captured a mountain lion trapped in a backyard Monday
evening.

At 4:30 a.m. this morning, police received the first report of a sighting near the corner of Avila Road and S. El Camino Real. Officers said they saw what appeared to be a medium-sized mountain lion, possibly weighing 60 to 80 pounds, according to police.

At 1:20 p.m., police received another call from a resident who reported seeing a large brown cat walking away from an apartment complex at 33 Hayward Ave. The caller said the animal was not acting aggressively
or predatory in any way, police said. Police canvassed the area, but, again, were not able to locate the mountain lion.

Around 4:30 p.m. a call came in to report a sighting on a street near El Camino Real, a spokesman from CDFW said.

“This is a lion that’s afraid and all it wants to do is get away,” Andrew Hughan said.

Police said the mountain lion was not acting aggressive or predatory in any way. Police canvassed the area to try and locate the animal but were unsuccessful.

The cat was located in a backyard and tranquilized around 7 p.m. According to KCBS, wildlife officials had to wait for the drug to kick in before capturing it.