Mountain Lion Spotted Near Agoura Hills Elementary School

A mountain lion was recently seen in the vicinity of Yerba Buena Elementary School in Agoura Hills, school principal Christina Desiderio confirmed in an email to Patch. The sighting, which was reported on Thursday, was the second in the area in two months.

"One of our parents called us and reported seeing [the mountain lion] walking up the hill on Reyes Adobe and Lake Lindero Drive," Desiderio wrote. "We called the Sheriff's Department and [state Department of] Fish and Game."

Desiderio wrote that the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff's Station did a drive-by, but a spokesman from Fish and Game told her the agency could not send someone unless the mountain lion poses a threat.

The principal sent out a prerecorded message to the school's families, which stated:

"Good evening, Yerba Buena families, this is Christina Desiderio. It was brought to my attention that there was another mountain lion sighting near our school yesterday. It was seen walking up the hill near Reyes Adobe Road and Lake Lindero. The Sheriff's Department and Fish and Game were both notified. If you see this animal, please call both the sheriff and Fish and Game immediately. Thank you, and have a nice weekend."

Warden Corey Collins of Fish and Game said it is civilization that is impeding upon the wildlife territory, and Yerba Buena is located near a creek, a natural habitat for mountain lions to hunt and drink.

"The lion was simply looking for food, water and shelter," Collins said. 
"We were told that the animal was seen moving from one open space to another, back into the wilderness, which is what it's supposed to do."

Collins said he does not think that mountain lions pose a threat to the children at the school.

"Humans are not their primary food ... and if anything, they tend to shy away from people, which is why we don't often spot them."

Susan Nathanson, whose three children attend the school, said she is not concerned about the sightings.

"I think it's kind of exciting," she said. "I'd like to see one myself."