Orphaned and Rehabilitated Mountain Lion F29 Returns to Mount Shasta California Prompting Capture and Relocation Effort by Wildlife Officials
MOUNT SHASTA, CA — A young female mountain lion known as F29 was spotted near Summit Drive in Mount Shasta, California on Tuesday evening June 2, 2026, triggering a coordinated capture and relocation response by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Siskiyou County agencies after the animal returned to her original home range following a rehabilitation and release effort earlier this spring.
The Remarkable Story of Mountain Lion F29
The mountain lion at the center of this situation is not simply a wild predator wandering into a residential area. F29 carries a documented and well-known backstory that makes this case particularly significant for California wildlife managers and conservationists tracking the animal’s movements.
F29 was orphaned near Weed and later rescued, rehabilitated, and fitted with a GPS tracking collar. The mountain lion was released into a remote area of the Trinity Alps in May. Since being released, F29 has traveled extensively throughout the region before recently returning to an area near her original home range outside Mount Shasta.
Multi-Agency Response Underway
The Mt. Shasta Police Department announced the sighting of a young mountain lion on Summit Drive on Tuesday night. In response, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Siskiyou County agencies are working together to safely capture the animal, which was spotted near Summit Drive west of Interstate 5. Officials said trained dogs are being used as part of the effort to locate and capture the mountain lion.
The use of trained tracking dogs reflects the seriousness with which wildlife authorities are treating the situation, deploying specialized resources to locate and safely secure the animal before any potential human or livestock encounter occurs in the residential corridors near Mount Shasta.
Why F29 Returned to Her Home Range
The return of F29 to the Mount Shasta area after her Trinity Alps release is consistent with well-documented mountain lion behavior, as young cats that were raised or spent formative periods in a specific geographic area frequently attempt to return to familiar territory even after relocation to distant wilderness zones.
CDFW and Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office said they are working together to safely capture and relocate the mountain lion to a remote area while protecting public safety. Officials noted F29 has reportedly preyed on small animals in the Weed and Mount Shasta areas.
Public Safety Guidance for Residents
Residents across the Mount Shasta area and Summit Drive corridor are urged to remain alert, keep pets and small livestock secured indoors during evening and overnight hours, and report any additional mountain lion sightings immediately to local law enforcement without approaching or attempting to interact with the animal.
Both CDFW and Siskiyou County agencies are monitoring the situation and coordinating resources to ensure the safety of both the public and the animal. Residents in the area are encouraged to remain alert and report any additional sightings to local law enforcement.
For continuing coverage of California wildlife and animal safety news across the United States, visit SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
