Baby mountain lion cornered at Santa Monica office building
SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA (BDCi) – State Fish and Game officers were trying to collar a mountain lion that wandered into the courtyard of a downtown Santa Monica office building Tuesday morning.
The Santa Monica Police Department received a call early Tuesday morning, reporting the mountain lion sighting.
The animal, which appears to be a juvenile, was spotted by a janitor at an office building at 1227 2nd Street, according to police.
The mountain lion was contained to a courtyard area of the building.
Police said the animal is about 80-100 pounds. They believe it may have jumped an 8-foot fence to get into the courtyard.
Santa Monica Police, the Santa Monica Fire Department and the Department of Fish and Game wardens were at the scene.
A Fish and Game spokesperson said they planned to tranquilize the animal and transport it back to the wilderness.
As a precaution, police closed 2nd Street to vehicle and pedestrian traffic between Arizona Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard.
It’s not unusual for wild animals like deer or raccoons to stray into the city from the Santa Monica Mountains. But authorities said this was the first big cat they’ve seen in the area.
By: Natania Levine Courtesy: ktla.com Photo: ktla.com 22 May 2012
10:01 a.m. P.D.T