Suspected elusive predator caught on doorbell cameras roaming CA neighborhood. See it
What is suspected to be a rarely seen creature was spotted roaming through a California neighborhood on residents’ doorbell cameras, a photo shows.
Marina police said the department was “made aware of a suspected mountain lion in the city” after images of a creature circulated on social media on Tuesday, Sept. 17, according to a post on the department’s Facebook page.
But the department has “yet to confirm this sighting was an actual mountain lion or not,” police said.
Several people commented under a photo of the creature captured on a resident’s Ring doorbell camera.
“That picture is definitely a lion, with the tail very long & body shape,” someone said.
It isn’t “uncommon for wild animals to be seen within our neighborhoods and streets,” police said. “Wild animals such as deer, coyotes, turkey and mountain lions are known to roam into town.”
Until police confirm the animal was in fact a mountain lion, the department reminded residents to be extra cautious to keep pets, children and themselves safe.
“If anyone does in fact see a wild animal, do not approach it, or attempt to capture it,” the department said. “Feral animals are unpredictable and harmful.”
A few people commented on the post saying they think they might have encountered the animal. One also said “yup, skipping my walk.”
“Around 6am this morning while walking my dog I encountered what I thought was a small bob cat,” someone said. “Scared me enough to leave the area.”
Someone replied that they feel bad for the wild animals “that so much of their space has been taken over and occupied by us humans.”
The original commenter agreed but said it “was still a bit frightening.”
“Bella my doggie tried to go after it but I had her on a leash,” they said. “Def was not a domestic house cat. It was roaming around in our Apt complex.”
Another person said their pet ran inside the night before and they weren’t sure “what was out there.”
Someone else agreed and suggested blocking the doggy door overnight.
“In the daytime it’ll be fine but yes, at night. Especially because Simba goes out and potties in the middle of the night while I’m asleep,” they said. “Scary.”
Marina is about a 65-mile drive south from San Jose.
What to do if you see a mountain lion
Mountain lions are typically “calm, quiet and elusive,” according to the National Park Service. While attacks involving mountain lions are rare, they are possible.
“Even so, the potential for being killed or injured by a mountain lion is quite low compared to many other natural hazards,” the National Park Service said on its website. “There is a far greater risk, for example, of being killed in an automobile accident with a deer than of being attacked by a mountain lion.”
Officials said there are some things you can do to prevent a mountain lion encounter from becoming an attack.
Stay calm and back away slowly.
Face the lion and stand up straight.
Don’t approach a mountain lion, especially if it’s with kittens.
Don’t run. It could stimulate a mountain lion’s chase instincts.
Pick up small children so they don’t panic or run away.
Don’t bend over or crouch down.
Throw things at the mountain lion if it continues to move toward you.
If the mountain lion attacks, fight back using anything around you.
Report all sightings, encounters or attacks to local park rangers or law enforcement.
This story was originally published September 18, 2024 at 2:06 PM with the headline "Suspected elusive predator caught on doorbell cameras roaming CA neighborhood. See it."
