San Mateo CA: If You Encounter a Mountain Lion

The San Mateo CA Police department advise:

Advisory: Mountain Lion Sighting in the 100 Block of W. Poplar Avenue.

On Friday 6-26-15 at approximately 10:15 PM, San Mateo PD Officers responded to the area of Bellevue Ave. and Clark Dr. on a report of a possible mountain lion sighting. Officers arrived in the area and contacted witnesses who observed a large Mountain Lion estimated to weigh close to 100 pounds. The animal was last seen walking westbound on the 100 block of W. Poplar Avenue. The animal was not acting aggressive or predatory in any way. SMPD units, with the assistance of The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office Air Unit, searched the area using thermal vision equipment (FLIR) but were unsuccessful in locating the animal. At that time the California Department of Fish & Wildlife were immediately notified of the incident but were not available to respond.

Then later on 6-26-15 at about 11:29 PM, a resident near Park School, located at 161 Clark Drive, reported seeing a large brown cat that appeared to be a mountain lion walking onto the campus through a gate on the Bellevue Avenue side of the school grounds. The animal was still not behaving aggressively or predatory in any way as it walked northbound. SMPD Units again responded to canvass the area and try and locate the animal. While establishing a perimeter around the campus, a San Mateo PD Officer observed a large cat, believed to be the Mountain Lion, walking northbound on school grounds. Additional Officers responded and conducted a thorough search of the campus and surrounding neighborhood again using thermal vision equipment (FLIR) but were unsuccessful in locating the animal.

First and foremost SMPD will do everything possible to ensure the safety of our community. But, we will also take every reasonable precaution necessary to protect the animal as well. Although mountain lion attacks on humans are extremely rare, we recognize that these sightings can be concerning to our neighbors and thus, we will keep the community informed of any additional sightings or developments of this nature.

PLEASE REMEMBER THESE SAFETY TIPS REGARDING MOUNTAIN LIONS While again it would be rare for a mountain lion to approach humans, you can follow a few simple rules to keep you and your family safe:

• Do not feed deer. It is illegal in California and it will attract mountain lions.

• If you see a mountain lion DO NOT APPROACH IT, especially one that is feeding or with offspring. Most mountain lions will try to avoid confrontation.

• Avoid hiking or jogging through wooded areas when mountain lions are most active—dawn, dusk, or at night.

• Keep a close watch on small children when hiking or traveling in or about wooded areas.

• 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.

• For more information about mountain lions click here www.keepmewild.org FOR MORE INFORMATION ON MOUNTAIN LIONS FROM THE CA DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/lion/

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Sent by San Mateo, CA Police Department
200 Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, CA 94403

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Robert Riechel

Senior Correspondent – San Bruno Patch

Photo Credit: San Bruno Patch Archives

Source Credit: City of San Mateo CA Police Department

http://SanBrunoPatch.com

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