Overview
- Animal control officers, state biologists, zoo veterinarians and police cornered the cat between apartment buildings near California and Octavia and sedated it.
- Officials reported no injuries and reminded residents to back away slowly, avoid running, pick up children and keep dogs leashed if they encounter a mountain lion.
- The Santa Cruz Puma Project confirmed the animal as 157M, a South Bay native tagged as a kitten and now in the typical dispersal phase for a roughly 1–2-year-old male.
- Veterinarians examined the lion after capture and agencies plan to return it to suitable habitat outside the city with renewed tracking via a collar.
- The episode began with sightings near Lafayette Park and led to park sweeps and a coordinated multi-agency response over two days.