Residents in a region of San Bernardino County are on high alert after home surveillance cameras have spotted several mountain lions roaming neighborhoods.
One Redlands resident, identified only as Virginia, spotted a lone prowler on her property on Drake Ridge Crest, the big cat strolling across the porch in the evening hours.
“It was obvious it was a mountain lion just the way it walked, like it was king of the roost,” she told KTLA’s Shelby Nelson.
Virginia, who frequently checks her camera footage for a stray cat that she’s been feeding, said the cougar was on her property last Thursday and it was definitely a different cat that she expected to see.
“It kind of made my jaw drop because I’ve never seen a mountain lion before,” she added.
California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife told KTLA that it has received several reports of mountain lions in the area, with many residents posting videos to social media.
Near Hillside Memorial Park, less than three miles from Redlands, one person’s security cameras captured a mountain lion in their backyard.
“Specifically where these reports came from, on the edge of Redlands, adjacent to the San Timoteo Canyon, [this is] where lions – all wildlife really – use that canyon as a migration corridor,” CDFW representative Kevin Howells explained.
These areas, according to Howells, are mountain lion territory and sightings are to be expected, particularly since more people now have cameras.
“People are detecting what has been walking around the entire time,” he explained.
Additionally, Howells said it’s the end of kitten season and mature female cougars have likely already given birth and are stashing their offspring while they go out and hunt for food.
Earlier this month, in Thousand Oaks, a baby mountain lion was captured on home surveillance cameras stalking a house cat.
However, the number one food source for mountain lions are deer, so Howells recommends people deer proof their homes.
“Trim back any excess cover, any vegetation that these animals may use,” he advised.
As for Redlands resident Robert Zielinski, who owns a dog that seems like it might stand a chance with a mountain lion, he says he’s staying prepared.
“We usually lower [our] guard. I don’t panic, but after watching that video, I double check that all the gates are locked, closed, that the doors are closed and windows,” he said.
Wildlife officials couldn’t confirm if all the sightings involve the same cougar, but did warn residents who may come upon a stash of kittens to not approach it because the mother may be nearby and will be returning.