Home Newsroom Library States Forums Donate Gift Shop About MLF Proposition 117
Mountain Lion Foundation
 
Cougar Clippings Article
 
 Back to List of Articles
Date: 11/30/2004
Article Title: Mountain lion spotted - Sighting reported in South City 
Media Source: San Francisco Examiner (California)

By Mary F. Albert | Staff Writer
Published on Tuesday, November 30, 2004

SO. SAN FRANCISCO -- A truck driver delivering goods to the industrial side of South San Francisco witnessed an unusual sight Monday morning, according to South City police.

The driver -- whose name will not be released by California Fish and Game officials until their investigation is closed -- spotted what appeared to be a mountain lion behind Forbes Boulevard businesses, said police Cpl. Mike Toscano, who reported to the scene.

Although six South City police officers arrived on the scene within three minutes of the 7:52 a.m. phone call, none was able to find the animal after combing the area, said Toscano, who explained that the Peninsula Humane Society and California Fish and Game were immediately notified.

Fish and Game, which is investigating the incident, has not yet confirmed whether the animal spotted was, in fact, a mountain lion, said spokesperson Troy Swauger.

"But it is not inconceivable," said Swauger, who explained that half of California landscape is "prime territory" for the state's estimated 4,000 to 6,000 mountain lions.

Plus, the animal was seen running from a patch of open space between Forbes Boulevard and Grandview Drive into a bushy area, according to police.

What would be surprising is if the animal turns out to be a mountain lion and also proceeds to harm residents, Swauger said.

"Mountain lions spelling trouble for people -- that's rare," said Swauger, who explained that these large cats are generally loners and feed primarily on deer.

There have been only 15 verified mountain lion attacks on humans in California since 1890, six of them fatal, according to Fish and Game reports.

The last documented attack occurred in June, when a 27-year-old woman was killed while hiking in Sequoia National Forest.

What is clear is that the whole Bay Area has become more alert to mountain lion sightings, said Swauger, partly because of increased media coverage and awareness.

In the past three months, six mountain lion sightings, including Monday's, have been reported between Petaluma and San Jose. Anyone who spots a mountain lion should report the sighting to the local police or sheriff's department.
Bay Area sightings

Nov. 24: Los Altos
Nov. 21: San Mateo
Oct. 20: Palo Alto
Sept. 27: Petaluma
Sept. 2: San Jose

-- Compiled from wire reports
 
 
Four ways you can help:
Donate Join MLF Volunteer Cougar Clippings

Join us on:  Mountain Lion Foundation
PO Box 1896 Sacramento, CA 95812
916-442-2666      800-319-7621
www.mountainlion.org

Copyright 1988-2010  - Material produced by the Mountain Lion Foundation is protected under copyright laws.
Permission to rebroadcast or duplicate is granted for non-commercial use when the Mountain Lion Foundation is credited.

Masthead Design Courtesy of MLF Volunteer Jenny Swartzbaugh