A mountain lion has been spotted prowling through a residential neighbourhood in San Francisco, prompting urgent safety warnings from animal control authorities. The large feline was captured on video in the early hours of Monday morning before disappearing into a popular city park, where officials believe it may still be hiding.
Early Morning Sighting in Pacific Heights
Local resident Madrey Hilton first encountered the mountain lion around 6 am on Monday as she was leaving for work. She managed to record clear footage from her car at the intersection of Sacramento and Gough streets in the city's Pacific Heights district. "It was so big... not just a regular cat," Hilton told the San Francisco Chronicle, describing how the animal "just looked like it was minding its own business."
The video shows the mountain lion cautiously navigating the urban environment, avoiding vehicles with their headlights on before crossing the street and heading into nearby Lafayette Park. This hilly 12-acre green space serves as a recreational area for the surrounding community.
Search Efforts and Ongoing Concerns
After sharing her footage on the social platform Nextdoor, Hilton alerted city wildlife authorities who identified the animal as a "subadult mountain lion" approximately one year old. Park rangers, animal control officers, and staff from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife conducted searches throughout Monday but found no trace of the elusive cat.
Angela Yip, spokesperson for Animal Care and Control, explained to the Chronicle that the lack of immediate sightings doesn't mean the mountain lion has left the area. "These animals often hide during the day," Yip noted. "There's a good chance the animal has hunkered down in Lafayette Park."
Mixed Reactions from Local Residents
Despite the official warnings, some Lafayette Park visitors appeared unconcerned during late Monday afternoon. The Chronicle reported people throwing balls for their dogs and pushing children on playground swings as normal. Ben Lawson, playing with his 16-month-old son Will, expressed little worry about a potential encounter. "It feels like it would be more scared of us," he said. "It would be so rare."
Another resident, Chris Hill, who was walking his dogs in the park, shared similar sentiments while acknowledging some caution. "I have 180 pounds worth of dog with me," Hill told the Chronicle. "I still don't want them to get mauled."
Understanding Mountain Lion Behaviour
Mountain lions, also known as pumas or panthers, typically do not view humans as prey. Attacks on people remain extremely rare, with only a few dozen fatalities recorded across North America over the past 150 years. Many of these tragic incidents involved children.
The most recent mountain lion-related death occurred in Colorado in January, when hikers discovered a woman's body on the Crosier Mountain trail with a mountain lion nearby. The victim was identified as 46-year-old Kristen Marie Kovatch. In March 2024, 21-year-old Taylen Robert Claude Brooks was killed in a mountain lion attack in California's El Dorado County, with his 18-year-old brother also injured.
Approximately three-quarters of documented mountain lion attacks have not resulted in human fatalities. One notable survival story involves Colorado trail runner Travis Kauffman, who fought back when attacked in February 2019, eventually killing the animal with his bare hands. Kauffman sustained only minor scars and later returned to running on the same trails, describing the incident as "a distant memory" where "everything has returned to normal."
Official Safety Guidance
Animal Care & Control San Francisco has issued specific safety advice through social media channels, urging residents to "remain vigilant" and exercise caution when outdoors. The agency recommends giving mountain lions a "wide berth" and has stationed rangers in Lafayette Park to warn local visitors.
Authorities provide clear instructions for anyone who encounters a mountain lion:
- Do not approach the animal under any circumstances
- Back away slowly without turning and running
- If with a child, pick them up immediately
- Keep dogs on a short leash at all times
- If the mountain lion approaches, make yourself appear larger by waving your arms, shouting loudly, and throwing available objects
The agency believes the mountain lion spotted in Lafayette Park will likely find its way out of the urban environment independently if it hasn't already done so. However, they continue to monitor the situation and advise residents to report any further sightings to wildlife authorities immediately.
