Last week a . This week, a mountain lion made its debut.
A resident reported seeing a mountain lion Sunday in the 5400 block of Pineridge Drive about 8 p.m. Sunday, Sheriff's Sgt. Brett Hanson of the Crescenta Valley Station told Patch.
Deputies went out and checked the entire area, but were unable to locate the mountain lion, Hanson said.
Mountain lions are solitary animals found where deer ususually graze, according to the California Department of Fish & Game. These animals can also eat small pets, too.
Here are tips for living in mountain lion country and preventing mountain lion visits:
- Don’t feed deer; it is illegal in California and it will attract mountain lions.
- Deer-proof your landscaping by avoiding plants that deer like to eat. For tips, request A Gardener’s Guide to Preventing Deer Damage from DFG offices.
- Trim brush to reduce hiding places for mountain lions.
- Don’t leave small children or pets outside unattended.
- Install motion-sensitive lighting around the house.
- Provide sturdy, covered shelters for sheep, goats, and other vulnerable animals.
- Don’t allow pets outside when mountain lions are most active—dawn, dusk, and at night.
- Bring pet food inside to avoid attracting raccoons, opossums and other potential mountain lion prey.
Authorities urge anyone who faces a mountain lion to call 911 immediately.
- Never hike alone and always stay on trails
- Keep children close to you
- Do not approach the animal
- Do not run from the animal
- Always stand tall, make eye contact and pick up children without turning your back to the animal
- Do all you can to make yourself bigger. Raise your arms, throw stones, branches, make noise, wave your arms slowly and speak loud
- If coyotes are in your yard bang pots and pans together or make other loud noises to scare them away
- Carry an umbrella with you on walks. If encountered by coyotes open umbrella to scare them away
- Report sightings to authorities immediately
Mountain lions tend to stay away from people, but there are rare cases of fatal attacks, according to fish and game officials.
The only reported mountain lion attack in Los Angeles County happened in 1995 to a 27-year-old man at Mt. Lowe in Altadena, the agency reported. The man survived the incident.
