The San Benito County Sheriff’s Office are asking locals to be vigilant in the wake of “no less than three sightings” of a mountain lion in the past week in the Stonegate housing development on the east side of Hwy. 25 between Ridgemark Golf and Country Club and Tres Pinos.
County sheriff’s deputies have yet to spot the animal, but a resident did take a picture of what appears to be a mountain lion.
The sheriff’s office recommends that people check out the following links for Department of Fish and Wildlife recommendations on how to protect yourself, your property and your animals.There is also information about how to best react if you encounter a mountain lion.
Visit http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/lion/lion_faq.html for commonly-asked questions about mountain lions.
Visit https://www.dfg.ca.gov/keepmewild/lion.html for tips on living in mountain lion country.
The reported sightings follow recent reports of a mountain lion near the San Benito High School ag barn and at Brigantino Park on Fourth Street near the San Benito River.
People who spot a mountain lion in the county are asked to call the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office (831) 471-1170 or 911 if it is an emergency. They can also call the Department of Fish and Wildlife game warden at (831) 649-2870 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or (916) 358-1300 after hours and on weekends.If you discover an animal you suspect to be injured or killed by a mountain lion, please contact the Department of Fish and Wildlife at the above numbers.