Bobcat Spotted In San Mateo Backyard

SAN MATEO, CA — Another wild animal has been spotted roaming a San Mateo neighborhood, marking the second such sighting confirmed in the city since Friday and at least the third reported countywide in a week.

In a news release Monday morning, San Mateo police said a community member reported a possible mountain lion in their backyard a few minutes before 6:30 p.m. on the 4,000 block of Kingridge Drive.

Officers responded and spoke to the resident who said the large cat had been in his backyard before moving to a nearby parking lot and disappearing. The resident shared a photo of the creature with police, who later confirmed the animal was a bobcat.

Sunday evening's sighting followed a mountain lion photographed Friday morning in the area of Vanessa Drive and South Grant Street and another last Monday reported near a Menlo Park golf course.

Since the beginning of this year, several Bay Area communities have reported mountain lion sightings, including in Petaluma, San Jose, Cotati, and Yountville. A young boy was hospitalized in January after being attacked a few miles south of Half Moon Bay.

Residents can report wild animal sightings to the police or via the state Department of Fish and Wildlife's online portal.

The San Mateo Police Department shared a few safety reminders Monday:

• Do not feed deer. It is illegal in California, and it will attract mountain lions.  
• DO NOT APPROACH a mountain lion if seen, especially one that is feeding or with offspring.  Most mountain lions will try to avoid confrontation.  
• Avoid hiking or jogging through wooded areas when mountain lions are most active—dawn, dusk, or at night.  
• Keep a close watch on small children when hiking or traveling in or about wooded areas.  
• Do not run if you encounter a mountain lion. Instead, face the animal, make noise and try to look bigger by waving your arms; throw rocks or other objects; pick up small children.  
• For more information about mountain lions, click www.keepmewild.org.