Mountain Lion Sightings In Petaluma, Cotati Prompt Safety Alerts

PETALUMA, CA — The public was asked to be on guard Thursday after several people reported seeing a mountain lion in a commercial area of Petaluma, and later in Cotati possibly moving toward Rohnert Park.

Around 12:15 a.m. Thursday, dispatchers began to receive calls of a mountain lion spotted in the 1300 block of North McDowell Boulevard in the parking lots near Kohl's and Home2 Suites Hotel. Numerous callers were certain they saw a mountain lion at a close distance as it traveled between the nearby hotel and other nearby closed stores, Petaluma police Sgt. Ryan Suhrke said.

Several Petaluma police officers and animal control officers saturated the area in a search for the large cat but did not find it.

A Nixle alert was sent out to make the public aware of the potentially hazardous situation, and several Petaluma police and animal control officers saturated the area in a search for the large cat.

Although the mountain lion was not located, the Petaluma Police Department wanted the public to know they could return to the area but should remain aware of their surroundings.

"The Petaluma Animal Control officers and the Petaluma Police Department ask if you observe the animal to please call 9-1-1," police said.

At 6 a.m., the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety and Cotati Police Department issued Nixle alerts stating a mountain lion was spotted just south of Myrtle Avenue in Cotati — some 5 miles north of the Petaluma sighting by way of Old Redwood Highway.

Police in Cotati and Rohnert Park urged caution as the mountain lion was possibly moving north into the L Section of Rohnert Park.

No further alerts were issued after the 6 a.m. sighting in Cotati.

In an encounter with a mountain lion, experts say to make yourself seem as large as possible. Make noise and act defiant but not afraid, and slowly create distance. If attacked, fight back. Protect your neck and throat. People have used rocks, jackets, garden tools, fanny packs and even bare hands to turn away mountain lions.