A mountain lion cub believed to be injured or disoriented was found alive early Wednesday morning in a residential neighborhood in Castaic, prompting a response from the California Highway Patrol.

CHP received the call just before 1 a.m. reporting a mountain lion cub lying in the roadway near the intersection of Hillcrest Parkway and Olympic Street. 

 

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A caller told dispatchers they had possibly seen the cub’s mother and another cub in the area and believed the young animal appeared injured.

Officers from the CHP Newhall Area Office arrived and found the cub resting in the street near several homes. Authorities said the cub appeared calm as officers monitored the scene and worked to determine the safest next steps.

CHP contacted California Department of Fish and Wildlife, which indicated it would be searching for the cub in the Castaic area.

“When an officer tried to approach it, the cub walked away on its own,” said CHP Officer Carlos Burgos-Lorpez.

Just before 2:30 a.m. the cub was seen running into a nearby backyard.

CHP officials emphasized that residents should never approach a mountain lion cub or any wild animal, noting that adult mountain lions are often nearby. Anyone who encounters a wild animal in the roadway is urged to contact CHP or Fish and Wildlife so trained professionals can respond safely.

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