Mountain Lion Rescued In Pleasanton Released In Sunol

PLEASANTON, CA — A mountain lion that had been hunkered down near an office complex in Pleasanton on Monday was released into the wild early this morning, a California Department of Fish and Wildlife spokesman said. Pleasanton police called Fish and Wildlife officials for assistance after the big cat was spotted near the complex near Hopyard Road and West Las Positas Boulevard at about 2 p.m. Monday because the agency has the authority, expertise and equipment to handle such situations, agency spokesman Patrick Foy said.

Hopyard Road was closed in both directions for several hours after the mountain lion was spotted, Pleasanton police said. Fish and Wildlife officials had to shoot the mountain lion with tranquilizer darts four times to completely sedate it because it was behind bushes and they couldn't get a clear shot at it, Foy said.

The mountain lion was taken to the Sunol Regional Wilderness area and ran off at about 1:45 a.m. Tuesday, he said. Mountain lions show up in populated areas on a fairly regular basis but the one that showed up in Pleasanton on Monday got more news coverage than most and stories about it were carried by news organizations throughout the U.S. and even in England, Foy said.

In August, mountain lion sightings were reported near the Vintage Hills area. Police said the sightings are normal during the warmer months.

While again it would be rare for a mountain lion to approach humans, you can 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.
• If you see a mountain lion DO NOT APPROACH IT, especially one that is feeding or with offspring. Most mountain lions will try to avoid confrontation.
• Keep a close watch on small children when hiking or traveling in or about wooded areas.
• If you encounter a mountain lion, do not run; instead, face the animal, make noise and try to look bigger by waving your arms; throw rocks or other objects. Pick up small children.

See Also:

• Wayward Mountain Lion Captured In Pleasanton
• Mountain Lions Wrestle On Santa Cruz County Porch

By Bay City News and Autumn Johnson

Photo courtesy California Department of Fish and Wildlife