Mountain Lion Sighting - Newhall

Wednesday - April 30, 2008 - 5:00 p.m. - Newhall:

Deputies responded to a call near the 21300 block of Oakriver Lane late this afternoon where two mountain lions were spotted sitting on a hillside.  Deputies report that there were some bones, apparently belonging to small domestic animals, and bike tracks in the area, but the mountain lions did not pose any immediate danger to residents. 

The California Department of Fish and Game responded and managed to chase one of the cats, a large male, further into the rural area of the hillside just before dark.  Deputies conducted door knocks in the area to warn residents of the sighting. 

The California Department of Fish and Game offers the following safety tips in their "Keep Me Wild" brochure pertaining to mountain lions: 

Staying Safe in Mountain Lion Country

Mountain lions are quiet, solitary and elusive, and typically avoid people.

Mountain lion attacks on humans are extremely rare. However, conflicts are increasing as California’s human population expands into mountain lion habitat.

• Do not hike, bike, or jog alone.
• Avoid hiking or jogging when mountain lions are most active—dawn, dusk, and at night.
• Keep a close watch on small children.
• Do not approach a mountain lion.
• If you encounter a mountain lion, do not run; instead, face the animal, make noise and try to look bigger by waving your arms; throw rocks or other objects. Pick up small children.
• If attacked, fight back.
• If a mountain lion attacks a person,
  immediately call 911.

Residents should call the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station at (661) 255-1121 if a mountain lion is spotted nearing a populated area in the Santa Clarita Valley.  If it is poses immediate danger to any person you should promptly call 9-1-1 and be prepared to provide detailed information to the dispatcher pertaining to the location of the animal.

Additional information on living in mountain lion country and the California Department of Fish and Game's complete brochure and safety tips can be found at the following link: "Keep Me Wild" mountain lion information.

If You See Something, Say Something!  Report non-emergency crime anonymously by visiting the following link: Crime Tips or calling (661) 284-2-TIP / (661) 284-2847. 

Always verify the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's information and news releases by visiting our website at SCVSheriff, the City of Santa Clarita's website at Santa-Clarita, the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department's website at LASD or a trusted local news source.  Three other local news outlets are KHTS AM-1220, The Signal and The West Ranch Beacon.  For questions regarding this release, contact Sergeant Harris at (661) 799-5814.