Mountain lion spotted in Pismo Beach park, police say
A mountain lion was seen twice near a Pismo Beach park this week, according to the Pismo Beach Police Department.
Most recently, the mountain lion was seen in the area near Chumash Park along James Way on Thursday, Sgt. Jason Spears told The Tribune on Friday.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife posted signs at Chumash Park warning residents about the animal, Spears said.
If people see a mountain lion, they can call the Pismo Beach Police Department at their non-emergency number 805-773-2208, or 911 if they are in danger, Spears said.
People can also contact the Department of Fish and Wildlife at 951-443-2841 about the cougar, Spears said.
Over the past three years, there have been more mountain lion sightings than usual in SLO County.
Since 2018, about 370 reports of SLO County mountain lion sightings have been submitted to local law enforcement agencies and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, The Tribune reported in December.
As of early November, 64 reports of cougar sightings had been submitted in 2022.
“There’s definitely been a recent uptick,” California Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist Brandon Swanson told The Tribune at the time.
