Firefighters have rescued a mountain lion from a tree outside a home in the southern California desert.
The homeowner called authorities after spotting the animal near the edge of the San Bernardino Mountains.
San Bernardino County firefighters found the large lion perched on a branch about 15 metres high.
State wildlife personnel tranquilised the animal. Firefighters then lowered it to the ground using a rescue harness.
A biologist evaluated the lion before it was released back into the wild.
State wildlife warden Rick Fischer said it's not uncommon for mountain lions to wander outside their habitat in the nearby mountains.
Attacks on humans are rare but the big cats will prey on pets and livestock, he added.
Reporting by Associated Press.
