A previous alert from multiple city and state agencies has been lifted after a mountain lion was spotted near Fell Street and Baker Street by Golden Gate Park in the Panhandle on Saturday night. Officials from SF Recreation & Parks confirmed the sighting.
As ABC7 reports, the unexpected encounter happened yesterday evening after a resident walking their dog saw the creature in a tree in the Panhandle's eastern end. By 8:30 pm, an official with SF Recreation & Parks had also spotted the cat, which resulted in an alert being issued.
It informed users, in part, that "Animal Care and Control is on the scene" while also advising any who may encountered the mountain lion to "slowly back away" as opposed to running.
"If the mountain lion approaches, make yourself 'big,' " the alert further suggested. "Wave your arms, shout, throw something, and again, do not run."
By Sunday morning, the alert had been lifted, though SF Animal Care & Control is requesting any sightings be called in to them at (415) 554-9400.
This weekend's wild life encounter follows the adventures of a young mountain lion who, as SFist previously reported, was spotted in Lafayette Park and Pacific Heights on consecutive days back in January. That lion was eventually tranquilized by SF Animal Care and Control and subsequently transported to a natural environment.
In a statement, Animal Care & Control officials further noted that it's common for mountain lions to visit San Francisco.
"Animal Care & Control gets multiple reports of sightings each year," they said. "Rarely do these reports result in the relocation of a mountain lion. Most find their way out of the City and back to where they came from."
Join the conversation
Comments
Comments load automatically as this section approaches.