According to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, wildlife and law enforcement officers spent hours observing and tracking a mountain lion that was gradually captured in the residential and commercial district of Camarillo.
Sheriff Captain Cyrus Zadeh said a homeowner in the 2400 block of Lomita Street dispatched a dispatch center shortly before 9 a.m. to report the mountain lions behind them hospital. Zad said deputies were sent home where they found mountain lions in the backyard resting under the playground.
Deputies were watching the Cougars while awaiting Ventura County Animal Services, which then took over the incident and asked the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for help.
Zad said it was shortly before 1pm when deputies were called after a fish and game watchman tried to calm the big cat. The officer drove the dart-but missed it. The Wildcats followed closely behind.
“It really runs through the residential and commercial areas and jumps on the roof,” Zad said.
He said the sheriff’s department provided traffic controls, while animal services, fish and game personnel tracked for at least an hour.
Zad said the cat ended up resting in the 2500 block of Pheasant Hill Road, and a second sedative dart was shot and hit its mark. The wildcat was arrested around 2 p.m., and Zad said it might return to the wild.
Although rare, Mountain Lions previously managed to enter the Camarillo community.
Two years ago, A mountain lion was found in the pleasant valley and Pancho Road. Wild cats are captured by living home surveillance cameras. However, this incident does not require the help of fish and game wardens.
Zad said it is not clear whether the mountain lion Wednesday was the same as the mountain lion two years ago or whether the animals had trackers.
