Mountain lion captured after sighting in Southern California backyard

VENTURA - A mountain lion that eluded capture after being spotted in a backyard was eventually removed from the area, California police and wildlife officials said.

The Simi Valley Police Department issued a warning to residents around 12:30 p.m. Saturday to keep children and pets indoors, the Ventura County Star reported.

The department issued an update 35 minutes later saying the mountain lion had been located and removed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

No people or pets were harmed, officials said.

The mountain lion was first spotted around 9:20 a.m. in a tree in a Simi Valley backyard. Police and several fish and wildlife wardens responded, officials said.

“During a tranquilization attempt, the lion exited the tree and ran eastbound into a neighborhood,” Simi Valley Police Sgt. Frank Panza said.

The mountain lion was eventually found in another backyard, authorities said.

Fish and wildlife personnel tagged the lion before a planned release north of the city, officials said.

Simi Valley is the same Los Angeles suburb where a mountain lion killed a dog in December.