Mountain Lion Captured in San Francisco Neighborhood

Animal Control and Wildlife Experts Respond to Sighting in Pacific Heights

Jan. 28, 2026 at 2:39pm by Ben Kaplan

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A mountain lion that was recently spotted in San Francisco's Pacific Heights neighborhood has been captured by Animal Care and Control. The animal was found near California and Octavia streets on Tuesday morning and was contained by officials, who are working with the San Francisco Zoo on next steps for the lion's relocation.

Why it matters

Mountain lion sightings in urban areas like San Francisco are relatively rare, but can raise safety concerns for residents. This incident highlights the need for coordination between local authorities and wildlife experts to safely handle these situations and ensure the well-being of both the public and the animal.

The details

The mountain lion was first spotted in the neighborhood and a nearby park on Sunday night. Animal Care and Control was called in on Tuesday morning and was able to locate and contain the animal. Biologists from the Santa Cruz Puma Project, who had previously tagged and tracked this specific mountain lion, were brought in to assist. They confirmed the lion is in good health and was likely pushed into the city by other male lions defending their territories.

  • The mountain lion was first spotted in the Pacific Heights neighborhood on Sunday night.
  • Animal Care and Control captured the mountain lion on Tuesday morning near California and Octavia streets.

The players

Animal Care and Control San Francisco

The city agency responsible for responding to animal-related incidents and ensuring public safety.

Santa Cruz Puma Project

A research partnership between UC Santa Cruz and local wildlife experts that studies the impact of people and development on mountain lion habitats.

Richie King

A biologist with the Santa Cruz Puma Project who had previously tagged and tracked the mountain lion that was captured in San Francisco.

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What they’re saying

“I'm glad they're they know where it is. I mean, mostly for ourselves, but also for the animal.”

— Abram Cortez, Neighborhood Resident (CBS News Bay Area)

“I don't think he's seeking out these areas. For the most part, he's being pushed around by other males who have these home ranges that aren't letting him go in there. Really, he doesn't have much of a choice about where he's going and he just happens to end up in these bad situations.”

— Richie King, Biologist, Santa Cruz Puma Project (CBS News Bay Area)

What’s next

The captured mountain lion will be outfitted with a GPS tracking collar and released in a remote, open space area far away from people.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder of the need for continued collaboration between urban communities and wildlife experts to safely manage encounters with large predators like mountain lions, which are increasingly being pushed into residential areas due to habitat loss and competition.