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Mountain lion caught on video walking in downtown Vacaville


CBS News Sacramento

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VACAVILLE – The Vacaville City Council issued a public safety alert Friday after a mountain lion was caught on video wandering through downtown last weekend.

A resident's surveillance camera caught the animal wandering around the area between West and Cernon streets near Main Street just before 2 a.m. on August 17, Vacaville police said.

The mountain lion can be seen walking along a fence that police say is a parking lot before disappearing from the camera's view.

Vacaville police said the resident who owns the camera only recently saw the footage, despite the incident occurring last weekend.

***Mountain Lion Sighting*** ***Downtown Vacaville*** The City of Vacaville is issuing a Public Safety Alert after a mountain lion sighting was confirmed in Downtown Vacaville. This alert is intended to be informational. On August 17, 2024 at approximately 1:50 a.m., a resident's outdoor camera captured a mountain lion roaming downtown, specifically the area between West and Cernon Streets near Main Street. The animal was briefly seen in a parking lot before disappearing from view of the camera. Although this incident was captured on video surveillance last weekend, the resident did not notice the event until recently. Please observe the following precautions in the event the public comes into contact with a mountain lion or other large wild animal: Safety: – Residents are advised to remain alert and not approach the animal if it is sighted. – Keep pets and children indoors and secure food sources or trash that may attract wildlife. – Do not allow pets to run off-leash. If you see a mountain lion: – Pick up small children without bending down. – Back up slowly, DO NOT RUN. – Make noise and provide the animal with an escape route. – Do not attempt to confront or capture the animal. Report sightings: – Anyone who sees a mountain lion is asked to immediately contact the Vacaville Police Department at 707–499–5200 and/or the Wildlife Management Hotline at 916–358–2917 or wildlife.ca.gov For media inquiries, please contact: Lieutenant Chris Lechuga Press Secretary Vacaville Police Department Phone: 707-449-5269 Email: [email protected]

Posted by Vacaville Police on Friday, August 23, 2024

What to do if you encounter a mountain lion?

Although mountain lion attacks on humans are rare, according to conservationists, such attacks have only occurred in California this year. In March A mountain lion attacked two brothersone of them was killed.

Officials advise civilians to take the following safety measures when encountering a mountain lion:

  • to avoid approaching one if you spot it.
  • to secure food sources that could attract wildlife.
  • Keep pets on a leash.

If Vacaville residents see a mountain lion, police advise them to report it immediately or report it to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Richard Ramos

Richard Ramos is a web producer for CBS Sacramento who was born and raised in Sacramento and holds a BA in Journalism from CSUS.

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