Mountain Lion Cub Rescued in Southern California, Sent to Sonoma County

The female cub, estimated to be 4-5 months old, was found alone on a roadway in Castaic and is now at a wildlife rehabilitation center.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 9:15pm

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A mountain lion cub found alone on a Southern California roadway last week was transferred to a wildlife rehabilitation center in Sonoma County after state officials were unable to reunite it with its mother. The female cub, estimated to be 4 to 5 months old and weighing just over 16 pounds, was discovered in the early morning hours of Jan. 21 crouched in traffic lanes along Hillcrest Parkway in Castaic, north of Los Angeles.

Why it matters

Mountain lion sightings and encounters have been on the rise in California as human development encroaches on their natural habitats. This rescue highlights the challenges wildlife officials face in trying to reunite orphaned or separated cubs with their mothers, and the importance of wildlife rehabilitation centers in caring for these vulnerable animals.

The details

Veterinary exams found no broken bones or major trauma on the cub, though it had a small laceration on one paw and was slightly underweight. California Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists spent more than a week attempting to locate the cub's mother, setting up trail cameras and asking residents to report sightings, but were unable to reunite the cub with its parent. With reunification deemed unlikely, the cub was flown to Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue, where it will be housed with another rescued mountain lion cub to help develop its social and survival skills before being released back into the wild.

  • The cub was discovered in the early morning hours of Jan. 21, 2026.
  • The cub was flown to Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue on Jan. 30, 2026.

The players

California Department of Fish and Wildlife

The state agency responsible for managing and protecting California's wildlife, including mountain lions.

Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue

A wildlife rehabilitation center in Sonoma County that will care for the rescued mountain lion cub.

Cort Klopping

A spokesperson for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

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What they’re saying

“It was determined that it wouldn't be safe to release this tiny kitten back out. What we really wanted was to reunite it with its mom.”

— Cort Klopping, Fish and Wildlife spokesperson

What’s next

The mountain lion cub is expected to be returned to Southern California and released once it reaches at least 50 pounds, typically at 10 to 11 months of age.

The takeaway

This rescue highlights the ongoing challenges wildlife officials face in trying to protect mountain lions and other wildlife as human development continues to encroach on their natural habitats. The work of wildlife rehabilitation centers like Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue is crucial in caring for orphaned or injured animals and preparing them for eventual release back into the wild.