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Just before midnight last Wednesday, an 18-year-old Danville resident told police she had spotted a mountain lion about four or five feet away from where she was standing, on the Greenbelt trail off Zamora Place.
She described the animal as the size of a golden retriever dog, “with a long tail and cat-like agility,” said Lt. Mark Williams of the Danville police.
Police searched the area but didn’t see any tracks, dead game or other evidence of a cougar. Williams pointed out that mountain lions are usually larger than a golden retriever. Police are calling it an unconfirmed sighting.
“We do the best we can to confirm these things, but if we can’t, we still want to notify the public,” said Police Chief Chris Wenzel at the Mayor’s Morning on July 11.
The town spoke with the California Department of Fish and Game, who said it’s not unusual for wild cats to venture down to the urban fringe looking for water in times of drought, Danville Town Manager Joe Calabrigo said.
“The essentials for them are food, water and shelter. So certainly, potentially, if a water source dries up for a mountain lion, certainly it’s going to seek another water source,” said Fish and Game’s Kyle Orr.
The species primarily preys on deer; if deer herds are moving to seek water then mountain lions could also be on the move, Orr continued, clarifying that he was speaking in general terms and is not an expert on the environment in Danville.
He said sightings, either confirmed or unconfirmed, are more frequent this time of year because people spend more time outdoors doing summer activities.
Also, once one sighting is publicized it’s common to see a rise in reported sightings afterward, he said. “When people read about it, it tends to heighten their sensitivity.”
In late April a mountain lion was spotted at Osage Park, less than a mile away from Zamora Place. Since the animal was seen close to Greenbrook Elementary School and police found physical evidence to confirm its presence, security was heightened.
Last Wednesday, police went door to door informing residents in the immediate area of the sighting. Contra Costa County Animal Control was also notified.
“Mountain lion is a top-of-the-line predator and definitely people need to be cautious around them,” said Orr. “That said, attacks on people are very rare in California. Since 1890, there have only been 14 verified attacks on humans in California.
“Seeing a mountain lion does not necessarily constitute a threat. Virtually, in most cases, that’s just a mountain lion being a mountain lion.”
People who see mountain lions should not approach the animal but also should not run. Face the animal, make noise and throw rocks or other objects. For more tips, go to www.dfg.ca.gov/keepmewild/lion.html
My father-in-law spotted a mountain lion, Today at 7am, inside the Enfield St. wash, heading back into the drain pipe underneath E. Branch Parkway/ Enfield St. intersection in San Ramon only a block from Live Oak Elementary School. He was close enough to its green eyes.
Once I found out about this I immediately called the police department. The officer called me back checking for signs this evening.
Makes sense, I saw a coyote in Bishop Ranch last night on Camino Ramon near the main entrance for AT&T, heading towards the duck/goose pond 🙁
I live in Bettencort Ranch Developement in Danville and I spotted a mountain lion in the open space behind my house heading up the hill towards the backside of Fleetwood Rd.
I live two blocks from Blackhawk/Diablo/McGee Ranch development in Danville — close to Mt. Diablo, open land and to creeks.
A mountain lion charged over our 6 foot fence into our backyard back in October while my cat and I were on the deck. My cat took off running, with the mountain lion in pursuit … outstretched, fangs displayed…My cat got away, and so did I. (The mountain lion was within 3 feet of me while I was standing on the deck…)
With the apparent government funding cuts, this is the response received when I called the following:
o Danville Police: Sheriff’s department answered for Danville Police and replied “We don’t handle these types of calls. You need to call Animal Control”
o Animal Control: “We don’t handle these types of calls. You need to call the Department of Fish and Games”
o Department of Fish and Games: I was routed several times, winding up talking to an answering machine. “We pick up messages every day between 2pm and 5pm and will return your call.” Department of Fish and Games never called.
Four days later, at home the Whitegate neighborhood of Alamo (which backs to Mount Diablo as well), a group of us sitting in the backyard observed a mountain lion coming down the hill behind the house…apparently heading for the owner’s cat sitting in the backyard. The owner scooped the cat up and took it into the house.
Both of these mountain lion sitings took place between 2pm-4pm in broad daylight — During the severe drought, mountain lions are nowing entering neighborhoods and see pets are easy pickings.
Be alert — the mountain lions are coming down into the neighborhoods.
They are coming down into our neighborhoods because you are taking away their “backyard” by building and building and building all of these new homes.
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