- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Merced Today
By the People, for the People
Mountain Lion Captured in Merced Backyard
The big cat was tranquilized and released back into nearby mountains.
Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:48pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
A mountain lion's unexpected visit to a Merced backyard underscores the need for coexistence between urban development and wildlife habitats.Merced TodayA mountain lion was found lounging in a backyard tree in Merced, California on Friday afternoon. Police and wildlife officials responded, tranquilizing the animal and transporting it back to its natural habitat in the nearby mountains.
Why it matters
Mountain lion sightings in urban and suburban areas of California's Central Valley have become more common in recent years as development encroaches on their natural habitats. Safely removing the animals and returning them to the wild is crucial to protecting both the public and the wildlife.
The details
The mountain lion was spotted by a homeowner in the Bellevue Ranch neighborhood of Merced. Merced Police and the California Department of Fish & Wildlife responded to the scene, tranquilizing the big cat before transporting it back to the mountains.
- The mountain lion was found in a Merced backyard on Friday afternoon.
The players
Merced Police
The local law enforcement agency that responded to the mountain lion sighting.
California Department of Fish & Wildlife
The state agency responsible for managing and protecting California's wildlife, including mountain lions.
The takeaway
As development continues to encroach on natural habitats, encounters between mountain lions and humans in California's Central Valley are likely to increase. Proper training and coordination between law enforcement, wildlife agencies, and the public is crucial to ensuring the safe removal and relocation of these big cats.
