A mountain lion set off a dramatic wildlife response in a busy Escondido neighborhood, ending in a tranquilizer takedown, a drone-assisted pursuit and a nighttime release back into the wild near the Cleveland National Forest.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife officials were called to the intersection of Mission Avenue and Grape Street at about 1:30 p.m. Monday after reports of the big cat tucked under a vehicle in a densely populated residential area.

“Due to the busy urban setting and a growing crowd of onlookers, environmental scientists made the call to safely immobilize and relocate the animal,” CDFW said in a statement on Facebook.

The situation escalated after the first tranquilizer dart was fired.

The mountain lion bolted from the scene and ran into a nearby apartment complex, where authorities kept close watch using a police drone overhead. 

Officials ultimately deployed a second dose of sedative before moving in to secure the animal.

Despite the tense encounter, the animal was later described as being in excellent condition, well-fed, with a clean coat and no visible injuries.

Wildlife crews fitted the mountain lion with a tracking collar to monitor its movements following release.

Hours later, around 11 p.m., the big cat had fully recovered from sedation and was released into suitable habitat near the Cleveland National Forest.

Officials observed it as it moved off and rested near a tree, appearing slightly unsteady at first before quickly regaining normal movement.

Mountain lions, also known as cougars, pumas, or panthers, are California’s largest native wild cats and are found across a wide range of habitats from coastal brush to mountainous terrain. 

Though powerful predators, they are typically elusive and avoid human contact.

Estimates place the state’s mountain lion population around 4,500.

Their diet is dominated by mule deer, though they will also hunt elk, coyotes, raccoons and occasionally livestock or pets.

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Physically, they are capable of explosive athletic feats, including vertical jumps of up to 18 feet and horizontal leaps reaching 45 feet.

More than half of California is considered suitable habitat for the species.

Adult males can control territories as large as 200 square miles, while females typically range between 30 and 70 square miles.

Sport hunting of mountain lions has been banned in California since 1990, and the species is currently being evaluated for additional protections under the California Endangered Species Act in certain regions due to ongoing habitat fragmentation.