Police in Marina, California are warning residents to take precautions after receiving reports that a suspected mountain lion was spotted within city limits.
Marina Police Department took to social media to share an image captured by a home security video system which appears to show a mountain lion walking along a residential driveway.
The image, which is date and timestamped, was taken in the early hours on September 17.
More: Passengers on Delta flight suffer ‘bleeding from their ears’ due to pressure issues
Marina Police Department say they were “made aware” of the suspected sighting on this date and the image which is currently circulating on social media.
**** Wild Animal Sighting **** For more information about living with/near wildlife, refer to the CA Fish & Wildlife webpage. https://wildlife.ca.gov/Living-with-Wildlife
Posted by Marina Police Department on Tuesday 17 September 2024
“We have yet to confirm this sighting was an actual mountain lion or not,” they said.
“Wild animals such as deer, coyotes, turkey and mountain lions are known to roam into town.
“It is not uncommon for wild animals to be seen within our neighborhoods and streets,” they added.
Given that they have not yet been able to confirm if the sighting was a mountain lion, authorities are recommending that residents take precautions and “take appropriate steps to ensure pets are safe”.
“If anyone does in fact see a wild animal, do not approach it, or attempt to capture it,” they said.
“Feral animals are unpredictable and harmful.”
In March of this year, 21-year-old Taylen Brooks was killed by a mountain lion while hiking in a remote area in northern California with his 18-year-old brother, Wyatt.
Wyatt survived but suffered “traumatic injuries” to his face, according to authorities.
Prior to this, the last fatal mountain lion attack in California was in 2004.
