Young Mountain Lion Safely Rescued in San Francisco

A two-year-old mountain lion got a second chance this week after wildlife experts safely rescued him from downtown San Francisco and prepared to return him to the wild.

The 77-pound male, known to researchers as 157M, showed up in the city's Pacific Heights neighborhood on January 26, likely searching for his own territory after recently leaving his mother. He squeezed into a narrow space between two buildings, where he waited out a careful 30-hour rescue operation.

Five agencies worked together to bring the young cat to safety. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, San Francisco Animal Care and Control, the San Francisco Zoo, and local police and fire departments coordinated to tranquilize and capture 157M without anyone getting hurt.

Researchers already knew this particular mountain lion. They'd tagged him as a kitten back in April 2024 near Rancho San Antonio County Park, but his tracking collar fell off as he grew. Now they'll fit him with a new one before releasing him in a more rural part of the San Francisco Peninsula.

Chris Wilmers, who leads the Santa Cruz Puma Project at UC Santa Cruz, wasn't surprised by 157M's urban adventure. Young male mountain lions often travel far while looking for vacant territory, and the Santa Cruz Mountains are surrounded by development on all sides. Sometimes these journeys lead them straight into cities.

Why This Inspires

This story shows what's possible when communities value wildlife and work together to protect it. Instead of fear or hostility, San Franciscans watched with fascination and concern as experts spent a day and a half ensuring this young cat could return safely to his natural habitat.

The rescue also highlights the dedication of researchers who've been tracking mountain lions since 2008 to better understand how these animals navigate an increasingly developed landscape. Thanks to their work, fans can follow 157M's future adventures online through the Santa Cruz Puma Project's tracking site.

Mountain lions rarely venture into dense urban areas, making this sighting only the second confirmed appearance in San Francisco since 2021. But as one conservation scientist noted, it's a beautiful reminder that wildlife still exists around us, even in major cities.

157M survived what could have been a tragic situation, and now he'll get another chance to find a territory and thrive in the wild where he belongs.