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California ( KCAL ) -- Wildlife cameras have captured what appears to be the return of a mountain lion nicknamed "Newport," that was caught on camera creating chaos in Orange County three years ago.

The big cat was spotted running through the parking lot of an Irvine shopping center, swimming in Lake Mission Viejo and sauntering through Newport Beach back in 2022.

Since then, he hasn't really been spotted, at least not knowingly.

Now, years later, it appears that Newport has returned to Orange County, though the newest videos show him in a much more fitting habitat, as he explores the Santa Ana Mountains and the surrounding area.

He was officially sighted on May 7, where he briefly stops to rub his face on some branches before inspecting the came

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