MEDIA RELEASE / COMMUNITY ALERT
For Immediate Release No. 2021107-043
Sunday November 7, 2021
SMPD Community Alert: Mountain Lion Encounter and Safety Tips
San Mateo, CA – On November 6, 2021 at approximately 10:25 p.m., a SMPD officer on patrol drove eastbound direction of SR-92. Shortly after passing the Hillsdale Blvd exit, the officer observed what he believed to be a mountain lion bounding across the lanes from left to right. The officer applied his brakes and the mountain lion entered the officer’s lane of traffic. The mountain lion impacted the vehicle. The officer quickly returned to area where the impact occurred but was unable to locate the mountain lion. SMPD conducted an area check of the surrounding areas for the mountain lion, but the mountain lion was not located. The officer was not hurt, but the impact damaged the patrol vehicle and left behind patches of animal hair.
This alert is for information only and has been issued only as a precaution to our community. The San Mateo Police Department would like to remind you of a few simple tips to protect you and your loved ones from mountain lions.
PLEASE REMEMBER THESE SAFETY TIPS REGARDING MOUNTAIN LIONS
Although it would be rare for a mountain lion to approach humans, you should follow a few simple rules to keep you and your family safe:
- Do not feed deer. It is illegal in California and it will attract mountain lions.
- DO NOT APPROACH a mountain lion if seen, especially one that is feeding or with offspring. Most mountain lions will try to avoid confrontation.
- Avoid hiking or jogging through wooded areas when mountain lions are most active—dawn, dusk, or at night.
- Keep a close watch on small children when hiking or traveling in or about wooded areas.
- Do not run if you encounter a mountain lion. Instead, face the animal, make noise and try to look bigger by waving your arms; throw rocks or other objects; pick up small children.
- For more information about mountain lions, click www.keepmewild.org.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON MOUNTAIN LIONS PLEASE VISIT THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE WEBSITE at https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/.
MEDIA CONTACT
Alison Gilmore
Public Information Officer | Office of the Chief
City of San Mateo Police Department
200 Franklin Pkwy, San Mateo, CA 94403
650-522-7626 | [email protected]
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