Update - Mountain Lion Sighting

According to Los Angeles Animal Services Wildlife Officer Randall, there was also a report of a coyote siting shortly after last week's reported mountain lion siting, in the area around Lake View and Silver Ridge. Officer Randall reports that 70% of mountain lion sitings turn out to be other animals, often coyotes or dogs. However, you never know if someone has as an inappropriate "pet," so be aware of your surroundings.

Officer Randall advises taking a photo of the animal as the easiest way to help identify it. Even if it's blurry or far away, it can help in identification. If you have a cell phone with a camera - use it to take a photo of the animal in question. (Cell phone cameras are also a handy way to take photos of stray dogs if you can't get a hold of the stray animal.) Or walk with a camera - there's always something interesting happening in the neighborhood.

Officer Randall had additional tips for identifying wildlife. Try to judge the size of an animal in relationship to the surrounding vegetation. Lighting conditions and slope can play tricks on the eye. A mountain lion's tail is about as long as his body.

If you do see a mountain lion report it immediately to Animal Services: (323) 225-WILD (9453) or Toll Free: (888) 452-7381 Ext: 1-4-1.

The biggest wildlife concern in our neighborhood is coyotes. Last week a Corralitas neighbor awoke to a chorus of coyotes going after a cat just off his deck, overlooking the canyon on the Red Car Property. He shined a flashlight on the offenders; six coyotes scattered. This time of year, the pups are grown and learning to hunt. Earlier this year, in the same canyon, three very large coyotes were aggressively stalking a 6'3" man walking his two 100lb dogs (on-leash) at 6AM. A few months ago, a neighbor reported a coyote den on Lake View just above the canyon between Corralitas and Lake View. Walk your dogs on a leash at all times, as coyotes are out at all hours, not just after dark.

Learn more about living with about coyotes, mountain lions and other urban wildlife at: http://www.laanimalservices.com/aboutani_wildlife.htm

Mountain Lion Sighting

This mountain lion is purely for illustration and is not the one reported in the story.

Photo: Diane Edwardson

I received an email from a neighbor reporting a mountain lion sighting this morning, near the south end of the Red Car Property. The neighbor reported sighting the large cat between houses near the southern intersection of Lake View & Silver Ridge. The neighbor looked up mountain lions and bobcats on-line and confirmed what she and her husband saw was a mountain lion. She reported it to Animal Services. A wildlife officer will investigate.

 

This is an unconfirmed sighting. I am merely passing information along in the event you think you've seen a mountain lion or bobcat in the neighborhood. You should report it immediately to Animal Services: (323) 225-WILD (9453) or toll free: (888) 452-7381. The Animal Services Wildlife Officer for our area is Greg Randall. If you see a mountain lion in the neighborhood: call 911 immediately.

 

Bobcats are found in Griffith Park and Elysian Park. The Griffith Park Mountain Lion found its way to Griffith Park a few years ago from the Verdugo Mountains via the Verdugo Wash and the Los Angeles River. It was considered a fluke that the cat found it's way to the park. Mountain lions prey on deer, which are native to Griffith Park. There are no deer or mountain lions in Elysian Park. For more info on mountain lions and urban wildlife: http://www.laanimalservices.com/aboutani_wildlife.htm

 

Since the Griffith Park Fire, wildlife has been turning up in neighborhoods where it has never been seen before. While it is possible that a mountain lion found its way here, it is very unlikely. It is more likely the big cat may be someone's escaped "pet." It is illegal to keep wildlife as pets without the proper permits, and totally inappropriate in an urban neighborhood.