Mountain Lion Sighting Reported On River Park Trail In Cloverdale

CLOVERDALE, CA — The Cloverdale Police Department was searching an area of the city Tuesday for a mountain lion.

A resident was walking along the River Park Trail around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday when they spotted a mountain lion, police said. The resident provided a photo of the animal crossing the path ahead of them and told police it was headed east toward the Russian River.

The police department responded in an all-terrain vehicle to search for the animal and notify people in the area.

North Bay Animal Services was contacted and was responding to investigate the sighting, police said.

In the meantime, residents were encouraged to use caution if walking along the trail.

Police said anyone who encounters a mountain lion should not approach it and should give the animal time to leave the area.

What To Do If You See A Mountain Lion

Police offered several tips for staying safe during a mountain lion encounter.

• Make yourself appear as large and as loud as possible.
• Pick up your children, leash pets, and stand close to other adults.
• Maintain eye contact.
• Never run past or from a mountain lion.
• Never bend over or crouch down.
• Slowly create distance while aggressively waving your raised arms, and throwing stones or branches, all without turning away.
• Consider whether you may be between the lion and its kittens or between the lion and its prey or cache.
• Back slowly to a spot that gives the mountain lion a path to get away, never turning away from the animal.