The Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office has issued a set of guidelines for mountain lion encounters after repeated sightings across the county.
Home security footage shared by the sheriff’s office shows a large mountain lion with a white tag wandering in Aptos. It was sighted around 7 a.m. on May 27 along Sierra Vista Drive, near Aptos Junior High School and Polo Grounds County Park.
A white tag is visible around the lion’s neck, which means the animal is being tracked by the Santa Cruz Puma Project. Known by the name “168-m,” the male lion is between 2 and 3 years old and presumed to be searching for new territory.
The Aptos incident comes after several recent sightings in Watsonville and Capitola. Residents spotted another mountain lion near 14000 W. Beach St. in Watsonville on April 16 and 19.
The sheriff’s office is warning community members who encounter a mountain lion not to run or turn their back. Running can trigger a mountain lion’s instinct to chase.
Instead, it’s best to stand tall, open your jacket, raise your arms and back away slowly while facing the animal. Throw available rocks or objects and use a loud, calm voice to intimidate the lion. Pick up any small children or pets and do not leave them unattended outside.
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