Possible Mountain Lion Sighting in San Elijo Hills/San Marcos
This is the copy from Sheriff email-We also confirmed the siting with a California Department of Fish and Game Warden searching on the Garden Trail west of Brightwood Drive.
If you live in San Marcos, be aware that mountain lion sightings have been reported in your area.
Deputies from the San Marcos Sheriff’s Station received the call on Sunday, January 19th just after 9:00 a.m. Witnesses reported seeing the mountain lion in the 1500 block of Glencrest Drive, 1700 block of Melrose Drive and 2200 block of Silverado Street in the San Elijo Hills area. Sheriff’s ASTREA flew over the area to search for the mountain lion, but was not able to confirm reports of the sightings.
The California Department of Fish and Game has been notified. Its officers also checked the area, but did not find the big cat. The agency has received unconfirmed reports of mountain lion sightings over the weekend as well.
The following safety tips have been provided by the California Department of Fish and Game:
•Do not feed deer; it is illegal in California and it will attract mountain lions.
•Trim brush to reduce hiding places for mountain lions.
•Don’t allow pets outside when mountain lions are most active—dawn, dusk, and at night.
•Bring pet food inside to avoid attracting raccoons, opossums and other potential mountain lion prey.
•Do not leave small children or pets outside unattended.
•Install motion-sensitive lighting around the house.
•Do not hike, bike, or jog alone.
•Avoid hiking or jogging when mountain lions are most active—dawn, dusk, and at night.
•Do not approach a mountain lion.
•If you encounter a mountain lion, do not run; instead, face the animal, make noise and try to look bigger by waving your arms; throw rocks or other objects. Pick up small children.
•If attacked, fight back
•If a mountain lion attacks a person, immediately call 911.
For questions concerning this incident or to report a mountain lion sighting, call the California Department of Fish and Game at (951) 443-2969.
Contact Information:
California Department of Fish and Game
951-443-2969
10 News Video http://youtu.be/z1vmHfi91mU
well I did not encounter a Mountain Lion but 3 coyotes on the 17th where walking on San Elijo hills on the sidewalk !!! they scare me for sure it was 5:45 am. they did not run when I make loud noises.
I just heard (Jan. 2, 2017) from a neighbor that a Cougar killed a dog in my neighborhood last night. San Joaquin St., Oceanside CA.
The dog’s body was dragged some distance, and there was bloody trail from this. There were claw marks on the house.
We do live in a desert environment around here, and we are contributing to loss of habitat.
Zara McDonald, executive director of the Sausalito-based Felidae Conservation Fund, said that 85 to 90 percent of all lion sightings in California are not mountain lions.
While bobcats may be frequently mistaken for their larger relative, they aren’t the only animal that can confuse those with a mountain lion phobia.
“We’ve had people mistake Labrador Retrievers for mountain lions,” Ruiz said, who added that it can be hard to identify an animal if you see it running into a bush quickly.