Mountain lion near high school tranquilized, moved
LOS ANGELES, CA -- State wildlife officials say a mountain lion that wandered onto the campus of John F. Kennedy High School in Granada Hills has been tranquilized and will be returned to its habitat.
State Department of Fish and Wildlife wardens arrived and shot the animal as it ran through the school located at 11254 Gothic Avenue shortly after noon Friday.
The startled mountain lion ran into the neighborhood and stumbled into a yard near the 16400 block of Donmetz Street.
Wardens kept close watch as it sat down and dozed off in a bed of flowers and then loaded the tranquilized animal onto a truck.
The high school was placed on lockdown after the animal was spotted on campus, the Los Angeles Unified School District said.
The mountain lion, which was not tagged or known to wildlife officials, will get an ear tag before being released into the Santa Susana Mountains, according to Andrew Hughan of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The big cat's gender, weight and approximate age were not immediately available, but Hughan said it crossed into the area through the Knollwood golf course.
The high school's mascot happens to be a cougar.
City News Service contributed to this report
