Los Gatos Mountain Lion Sighting: Residents Should Avoid Area, Police Warn

LOS GATOS, CA -- A recent mountain lion sighting along Los Gatos Creek Trail has prompted authorities to cordon off the area and post mountain lion sighting advisories. The Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department said Tuesday afternoon that the sighting was along the west side of Los Gatos Creek, north of Charter Oaks Circle.

A citizen reported the sighting to police, who responded to the area and observed a non-distressed mountain lion seated inside a large water drain culvert, positioned along the east embankment of the Los Gatos Creek, police said in a statement. After monitoring the area for an hour, the mountain lion was last seen running east inside the culvert pipe which has numerous outlets at various drainage points in the county, police said.

The general area is in close proximity to a known mountain lion habitat, police said, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife has been notified of the sighting.

As police and state wildlife personnel work to ensure the safety of the area, the community is asked to stay away from the vicinity. Police noted that the trail was already closed to public access between Charter Oaks Circle and Knowles Drive because of previous damage.

"Businesses and residences in the immediate area have been advised by police of the sighting," police said. "Please stay out of the immediate area, do not access the closed sections of the Los Gatos Creek Trail (north of Charter Oaks Circle), and call 911 if there is an emergency or immediate threat."

Photo via California Department of Fish and Wildlife