Oct. 20, 2021 – The University Police Department (UPD) was recently contacted by a student who reported they had seen a California mountain lion on the north playing fields adjacent to University Drive. UPD has been in contact with the California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW) who reported there were no known (tracked) mountain lions currently in our area.
It is important to remember that more than half of California is mountain lion habitat and mountain lions generally exist wherever deer are found. Most mountain lions only roam in the late evening or early morning hours.
The following safety information is intended to help keep you safe, although no strategy is guaranteed to be successful in every situation.
- Do not hike, bike, or jog alone. Stay alert on trails.
- Avoid hiking or jogging when mountain lions are most active – dawn, dusk, and at night.
- Keep a close watch on small children.
- Off leash dogs on trails are at increased risk of becoming prey for a mountain lion.
- Never approach a mountain lion. Give them an escape route.
- Do not run! Stay calm. Running may trigger chase, catch and kill response. Do not turn your back. Face the animal, make noise and try to look bigger by waving your arms, or opening your jacket if wearing one; throw rocks or other objects. Pick up small children.
- Do not crouch down or bend over. Squatting puts you in a vulnerable position of appearing much like a 4-legged prey animal.
- Be vocal; however, speak calmly and do not use high pitched tones or high pitch screams.
- If you see a mountain lion on the campus or in the University Glen community, immediately call 911.
Additional information can be found by visiting: https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Keep-Me-Wild/Lion.