National

5 times mountain lions were seen and rescued across the country. Take a look

Stories by Real-Time News journalists, with AI summarization

Mountain lions are spotted wandering across the country. In Colorado, two young cubs trapped in a dam spillway dramatically escaped danger thanks to inventive rescuers and a length of rope. California made headlines with the hopeful appearance of a new mountain lion in Griffith Park, following the famous P-22’s legacy.

Take a look at the stories below.

A pair of young mountain lion siblings were rescued from the dam spillway they were trapped in just before water rushed in, photos and video show. Colorado Parks and Wildlife Southwest Region

NO. 1: TRAPPED MOUNTAIN LION CUBS RESCUED JUST BEFORE COLORADO DAM RELEASES TORRENT OF WATER

Photos and video show the daring rescue. | Published April 23, 2024 | Read Full Story by Brooke Baitinger

A new mountain lion was spotted on the western edge of Griffith Park — the same location where the celebrity cougar P-22 was once photographed prowling in the darkness with the iconic Hollywood sign looming behind him. Screenshot from Vladimir Polumiskov's video on X, formerly known as Twitter

NO. 2: NEW MOUNTAIN LION IN ICONIC LOS ANGELES PARK BRINGS HOPE AFTER FAMOUS COUGAR’S DEATH

The newcomer was spotted in the same area where beloved celebrity cougar P-22 was once photographed under the Hollywood sign. | Published May 22, 2024 | Read Full Story by Brooke Baitinger

A “majestic” creature defied the odds and made such an incredible recovery, he was able to return home “where he belongs” in the southern California wilderness. | San Diego Humane Society

NO. 3: WATCH ‘MAJESTIC’ CREATURE GET RELEASED BACK INTO CA WILDERNESS AFTER 7-MONTH RECOVERY

The young creature was given a “second chance at life” after he was found on the side of a highway after a car hit him. | Published July 9, 2024 | Read Full Story by Brooke Baitinger

A mountain lion (not the one pictured) was seen roaming at a park near San Marcos, Texas, city officials say. Zach Key via Unsplash

NO. 4: MOUNTAIN LION SEEN FOR FIRST TIME IN TEXAS COUNTY, OFFICIALS SAY. ‘USE CAUTION’

A city worker spotted the big cat coming down from a tree at a park, officials say. | Published April 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mitchell Willetts

A mountain lion was sighted in Illinois in what officials are saying is the 11th reported sighting of the species in the state since 2002. Facebook screengrab from The Lindsey Way

NO. 5: MOUNTAIN LION IN ILLINOIS? RECENT TRAIL CAM SIGHTING IS RARE, BUT NOT THE FIRST

Don’t expect the mountain lion to stick around, officials say. | Published April 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mike Stunson

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.