Mountain lion caught in trap after pets disappear in California

A family in Fallbrook, located in San Diego County, California, discovered a mountain lion inside a live trap set in their yard. The Hernandez family had been experiencing distress after several chickens and four cats disappeared from their property.

Suspecting a coyote might be responsible for the missing animals, the family decided to use a cage-style trap to capture the predator without causing it harm. However, upon checking the trap on the night of February 19, 2026, they found a large mountain lion instead of a coyote. The discovery caused significant alarm for the family, particularly as they have three young children living in the home.