A mountain lion has been spotted at least twice within the last few weeks at Mission Trails Regional Park, and officials are advising hikers and visitors to the area to take precautions in the event of a personal encounter.
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According to city officials, the mountain lion was spotted via a camera trap in late June. City and park staff said they were also reviewing a visitor’s report of a possible mountain lion encounter near Suycott Valley Trail in the North Fortuna area about 6:50 p.m. on July 23, the city said on Instagram.
Officials did not have details on the sex or age of the cat but said they believe it to be the same animal from both sightings.
While not providing the specific location, city officials said they had put up signs near three trailheads closest to the sightings, including Jackson River Crossing, Suycott Valley and Grasslands.
The signs include warnings to keep children close, pets leashed and not to run away during an encounter.
“Face the lion and back away slowly,” said Caleb Olsen, a city spokesperson. “Make yourself as large and as loud as possible. Hold a backpack or open a jacket over your head. Pick up children and pets without bending and slowly back away while maintaining eye contact.”
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Hikers and visitors to the park, which includes 65 miles of trails across 7,220 acres of land, were also urged to be aware of their surroundings and not wear headphones while on the trails.
If attacked, city staff told people to fight back and attempt to fend the animal off.
This is at least the third time in the last two years wild mountain lions have been spotted wandering places regularly frequented by people in San Diego County. In May, state Fish and Wildlife officials captured and sedated a mountain lion that was seen roaming a residential neighborhood in Escondido.
A mountain lion was also seen in 2024 remarkably roaming around downtown Oceanside, running by neighborhoods and businesses. At one point, security camera footage in a parking garage filmed the animal jaunting past cars.
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