A San Diego County family expecting to catch a coyote instead found a mountain lion in a backyard humane cage trap. According to KTLA, Sonia Hernandez and her family set the trap after chickens and four cats, including a pregnant one, vanished from their rural Fallbrook property. Believing a coyote was responsible, Hernandez's father-in-law built the trap.

On February 19th, her husband discovered the large cougar calmly inside. Wildlife officials released the animal the next morning, citing California law requiring release in the same area. The family, concerned for their three children (ages five to nine) and animals, was surprised and worried the lion might return.