Someone walking a dog near Golden Gate Park on Saturday morning looked up and spotted a mountain lion climbing into a tree. The big cat hid among the thick branches in the Panhandle near Fell and Baker streets.
San Francisco Animal Care & Control and park rangers watched the tree throughout the day, but rangers couldn’t confirm that the mountain lion was still there until about 8:30 p.m.
The city sent an alert to people who live in the area, asking them to stay away from that location. Police officers and wildlife wardens also arrived to help keep an eye on the tree and give the animal space to leave without harming anyone.
By Sunday morning, the mountain lion was gone, but no one saw it climb down as it seemingly left on its own.
No One Saw the Mountain Lion Leave
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Police used flashlights, night-vision binoculars, and a thermal imaging drone to search the tree. However, all of the leaves on the tree helped hide the mountain lion.
Everyone eventually backed away to quiet the area, which gave the animal a chance to climb down without feeling trapped or surrounded.
Thankfully, it never acted aggressively. Animal Care & Control said climbing the tree was normal defensive behavior, and allowing it to leave on its own was the best possible outcome.
It May Have Appeared Again on Sunday
At about 3 p.m. Sunday, someone reported seeing a mountain lion on a path near 44th Avenue and Fulton Street.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the person was walking an off-leash dog when the animal appeared and then ran away. Park rangers searched the area but did not find it, so they could not confirm that it was the same mountain lion. The reported location was less than half a mile from the coast.
Animal Care & Control said that would suggest the mountain lion was moving in the right direction to leave the city and return to a more natural habitat.
Keep Your Dog Leashed if a Mountain Lion Is Nearby
Mountain lions occasionally wander into San Francisco from the Peninsula. Most of the animals are able to find their own way back to their natural habitat.
If you see one, do not run or turn your back. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife recommends facing the animal, speaking loudly and making yourself look as large as possible, while giving the mountain lion a clear way to leave. Additionally, you should pick up small children, keep dogs on a leash, and report the sighting to Animal Care & Control.