Anyone seen any mountain lions within San Diego? (Escondido, Napa: HOA, home security)

[earlyretirement]

I was curious if anyone has actually seen a wild mountain lion within San Diego? My HOA just sent me an email that there have been a few sightings of a mountain lion within our area. I live in Santaluz which is just adjacent to Fairbanks Ranch.

It's pretty amazing to think about mountain lions this close to the city. Although I guess it would be scary if I was walking on one of the hiking trails here and ran into one.

That got me wondering if anyone has actually seen one up close in San Diego?

[bloom]

Bobcat on Sorrento Mesa

[futbol]

I work in Sorrento Mesa next to a canyon and facilities just put up another sign warning us of late night/early morning mountain lion sightings. This is the sign they put up last year.



A co-worker almost hit a deer driving home from work. Maybe that's what the lions are after.

I've never personally seen one of these mountain lions in the wild.

[Jenkay]

I saw one (10?) years ago while hiking (alone, smart!) in Cuyamaca. I was also with a ranger at Mission Trails in a closed off section of the park when she pointed one out to me, but it was gone before I saw it.

[ShelbyGirl1]

Our son has seen them more than once while riding his mountain bike in Rancho Bernardo. Last year, one of the elementary schools kept kids inside all day because of a sighting in the 4s neighborhood.

[ShelbyGirl1]

I am told there are none here in Fallbrook....no deer. (which I find so very strange!)

[earlyretirement]

Originally Posted by ShelbyGirl1

Our son has seen them more than once while riding his mountain bike in Rancho Bernardo. Last year, one of the elementary schools kept kids inside all day because of a sighting in the 4s neighborhood.

Wow that would be scary. Yeah, the flyer they sent out in the email said there have been a few sightings including last year a few times when a mother was seen with her cubs.

[futbol]

Originally Posted by ShelbyGirl1

Our son has seen them more than once while riding his mountain bike in Rancho Bernardo. Last year, one of the elementary schools kept kids inside all day because of a sighting in the 4s neighborhood.

An adult mountain lion was hit by a car late at night in 4S Ranch about 2 years ago. It wasn't far from a school, which scared people for irrational reasons.

Originally Posted by ShelbyGirl1

I am told there are none here in Fallbrook....no deer. (which I find so very strange!)

I'd be surprised if mountain lions never ventured into Fallbrook. They have been filmed by home security cameras in the remote areas of Escondido. Some have been tracked via electronic collar wandering all over the semi-populated, non-desert areas of the county.

Don't worry so much, though. They are generally scared of humans and only hunt late at night and early in the morning, when their normal prey is exposed feeding, etc.

If you live in a property that borders an open area and have pets, you may want to consider keeping them in a protected area at night.

[ShelbyGirl1]

Originally Posted by futbol

An adult mountain lion was hit by a car late at night in 4S Ranch about 2 years ago. It wasn't far from a school, which scared people for irrational reasons.



I'd be surprised if mountain lions never ventured into Fallbrook. They have been filmed by home security cameras in the remote areas of Escondido. Some have been tracked via electronic collar wandering all over the semi-populated, non-desert areas of the county.

Don't worry so much, though. They are generally scared of humans and only hunt late at night and early in the morning, when their normal prey is exposed feeding, etc.

If you live in a property that borders an open area and have pets, you may want to consider keeping them in a protected area at night.

We are surrounded by open areas....the only thing (so far) that concerns me, re pets, are coyotes. They frequently jump our fences, and I find scat all the time. My cats are indoors, but we do have a 12 yr old Golden Retriever ( who thinks he can kick butt, but let's face it, he's a Golden!) I do not let him out alone after the sun goes down.
I inquired around about Mountain Lions when we moved in...I had seen them once or twice, when living up in Napa. I am told since there is no food source here (deer), they are non-existent here in Fallbrook. Still trying to figure out WHY there are no deer in such a country setting.

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Fallbrook is filthy with Deer. So is the area I hunt, heading there now. Watch out kitties