[ad_1]
(KRON) — A young mountain lion was spotted in the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco, according to the Animal Care & Control of San Francisco. The animal was first spotted Sunday night near Lafayette Park, where there is also a dog park.
As of 9:25 p.m., officials alerted residents that a young mountain lion was spotted near Pacific and Octavia, about two blocks north of the park, according to the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management.
“A mountain lion on Octavia Street,” a neighbor tells KRON4 of what she saw. “A couple of feet from me. It was crouched down like it was going to pounce. We dropped everything and ran.”
Another San Francisco resident said in a Reddit post Monday evening that they encountered the mountain lion on the stairs next to their apartment, saying “it was HUGE!”
“Early this morning while getting dropped off by a friend I witnessed a majestic mountain lion trotting down my block and up the steps to a corridor next to my apartment,” the user wrote.
“Must have weighed 100+ pounds, and when on all fours, it was about 2/3 the height of the compost bin…we locked eyes for a solid 5+ minutes.”
Video posted on the online platform shows the mountain lion staring down the individual who filmed the encounter.
“A young mountain lion was spotted near Pacific/Octavia. If you see the mountain lion, slowly back away, do not run. Call Animal Care & Control at 415-554-9400 or 911 in a life safety emergency,” the agency wrote in the alert posted at 9:18 p.m.
The public has been advised to remain cautious of the potentially deadly animal. Animal Care & Control San Francisco first announced the sighting of the animal just before 3 p.m. on Monday. Lafayette Park was temporarily closed Monday afternoon as park rangers and other state wildlife officials searched the park for the mountain lion.
Earlier around 8 p.m. Monday, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department said it found no signs of a mountain lion after conducting a sweep of the area. Lafayette Park has since reopened.
Sign posted Monday night at Lafayette Park stating there was a mountain lion sighting in the area. (KRON4 Photo)
San Francisco Centre Mall: Photos show empty SF ghost mall days before it closed
Stock image of mountain lion (Photo: Animal Care & Control San Francisco)
San Francisco Zoo ‘swamped’ with shirt orders after visit from K-pop group Twice
Officials said the mountain lion is about a year old and “likely” got lost and is “confused.” Experts believe the mountain lion “will soon find its way south and out of San Francisco.”
Animal Care & Control San Francisco said the mountain lion sighting was caught on video. However, the organization did not release the video of the mountain lion sighting.
Officials advise anyone who sees the mountain lion to keep their distance and not run. They are instructed to call 415-554-9400.
“If you have a child with you – pick them up – and keep dogs on leash. If the mountain lion approaches – make yourself ‘big’ wave your arms, shout, throw something, and again, do not run,” Animal Care & Control San Francisco wrote in a social media post.
[ad_2]
Aaron Tolentino
Source link