Full Notification

On June 4, 2019, Morgan Hill Police responded to a report of a found deer carcass on Fountain Oaks Dr. Morgan Hill Police Animal Services Officer met with the resident and examined the small deer carcass. California Department of Fish and Game were also notified of the incident. Both Morgan Hill Animal Services and members of the Department of Fish and Game agreed that the bite marks and injuries located on the carcass were most likely caused by a mountain lion. This is the first reported possible mountain lion incident in 2019. The police department is working with the Department of Fish and Game on how to best to address this situation. The Morgan Hill Police Department encourages the community to report all mountain lion sightings.

Since many areas surrounding Morgan Hill are considered a mountain lion habitat, it is important to recognize that there are steps everyone can take to keep themselves, their families, and their pets safe.

Please keep in mind the following advice about avoiding or responding to Mountain Lion interaction:

• Do not hike alone: Hike in groups when possible, with adults supervising children.

• Keep children close to you: Observations of captured wild mountain lions reveal that the animals seem especially drawn to small children. Keep children within your sight at all times.

• Do not approach a lion: Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation. Give them a way to escape.

• Do not run from a lion: Running may stimulate a mountain lion’s instinct to chase.



Instead, stand and face the animal. Make eye contact. If you have small children with you, pick them up if possible so they do not panic and run. Although it may be awkward, pick them up without bending over or turning away from the mountain lion.

• Do not crouch down or bend over: In Nepal, a researcher studying tigers and leopards watched the big cats kill cattle and domestic water buffalo while ignoring humans standing nearby. He surmised that a human standing up is just not the right shape for a cat’s prey. On the other hand, a person squatting or bending over looks a lot like a four-legged prey animal. If you are in mountain lion country, avoid squatting, crouching or bending over, even when picking up children.

• Do all you can to appear larger: Raise your arms, open your jacket if you are wearing one. Again, pick up small children. Throw stones, branches, or whatever you can reach without crouching or turning your back. Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly in a loud voice. The idea is to convince the mountain lion that you are not prey and that you may be a danger to it.

• Fight back if attacked: A hiker in Southern California used a rock to fend off a mountain lion that was attacking his son. Others have fought back successfully with sticks, caps, jackets, garden tools and their bare hands. Since a mountain lion usually tries to bite the head or neck, try to remain standing and face the attacking animal.


Please report all sightings and encounters to the Morgan Hill Police Department immediately at 408/779-2101. If you have additional questions, please contact Animal Services Officer Jared Huddleston at (408) 779-2101. or California Department of Fish and Game at (831) 649-2070 www.dfg.ca.gov; www.dfg.ca.gov/keepmewild/docs/lionbrochure.pdf; www.dfg.ca.gov/news/news04/04009.html

Anyone that may have additional information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Sergeant Bill Norman (669) 253-4982.