A resident in the San Mateo Highlands reported seeing a mountain lion Friday night and then found an animal carcass in the same area Saturday morning, according to the San Mateo County Office of Emergency Services.
At about 5:30 p.m. Saturday, the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office received a report of a mountain lion sighting in the 2000 block of Queens Lane near De Anza Boulevard, officials said.
The Peninsula Humane Society was notified of the incident and responded to the scene.
This would be the second sighting of a mountain lion in the hills of San Mateo in the last few days. The first one was seen mid-week on Fernwood Street, which is only a couple of miles from the most-recent sighting.
Both sightings are believed to be the same cat.
The sightings are potentially increasing because of the drought, pushing them closer to homes as they look for water, according to the Bay Area Puma Project. The latest mountain lion sighting this weekend apparently went after a mother deer.
“Animal Control took the carcass away and took the fawn away. There was a baby who was, I don't know, a month old or so--took her away to care for her,” resident Al Palter said.
In May, a mountain lion was captured in Mountain View lurking by an apartment building.
Marilyn Williamson said she is keeping a close eye on her prize-winning dog Holly, so she does not end up as the mountain lion’s dinner.
"I use to turn the dog loose out in the back here, but I’m not going to do it for awhile because I’m afraid the lion might be back here,” she said.
For those away for the holiday weekend, neighbors with pets will find some friendly advice on their doors.
“We left a note for them on their door to be careful not to leave their cats out, so they don’t get attacked by the mountain lion,” resident Ken Pizzi said.
The threat of a mountain lion in the neighborhood sent one barbecue party indoors. Even though Misty the dog was on guard, it just got too uncomfortable on the deck.
“They got really scared, the other ladies," resident Nancy Shideler said. "And they said they didn’t want to stay outside because they were afraid that maybe the mountain lion, if it’s out there, could smell the meat grilling.”
To avoid a mountain lion encounter, residents should avoid hiking or jogging through wooded areas at dusk, dawn and at night, when mountain lions are most active, and should keep a close watch over children.
Residents who see a mountain lion, especially if it is feeding or with offspring, should not approach it.
Local
Anyone who comes face to face with a mountain lion is advised not to run, and instead face the animal, make a noise and try to look bigger by waving, throwing rocks or other objects at the animal.
