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Confirmed Mountain Lion Sighting in San Mateo Neighborhood
 
A mountain lion was seen walking the streets in a San Mateo neighborhood. 
 
San Mateo, CA – On August 18, 2023, at 6:19 a.m., the San Mateo Police Department received a report of a mountain lion in the backyard of a home located at the 600 block of 16th Avenue.  Officers responded to the area and spoke to several residents who also saw the mountain lion on Vanessa Drive and near South Grant Street.  The mountain lion was not hostile toward humans and appeared to be traveling along Leslie Creek. 
 
While officers performed an extensive search of the surrounding neighborhoods, local schools were advised to “shelter in place” to ensure the safety of the students and school staff.  Officers used multiple resources to complete a search ensuring the mountain lion was no longer in the area.        
 
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.