Mountain lion sightings seem to have increased this year. What to know
Three mountain lions were caught on video prowling a Shaver Lake property in Central California, and a separate mountain lion was captured near a college campus in Merced.
The sightings are reminders that much of California is considered mountain lion country, though attacks on humans remain rare.
Here are key takeaways:
• Shaver Lake sighting: A Blink surveillance camera captured three mountain lions crossing a property along Crystal Creek Lane on March 4, about 50 miles northeast of Fresno. Resident Mike Giubbini shared the footage with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.
• Merced College incident: A mountain lion spotted near Merced College prompted a safety alert. A resident later found the animal in a tree, and it was tranquilized and relocated by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
• Attacks are rare: “Even so, the potential for being killed or injured by a mountain lion is quite low compared to many other natural hazards,” the National Park Service said. “There is a far greater risk, for example, of being killed in an automobile accident with a deer than of being attacked by a mountain lion.”
• If you see one: Never turn your back on a mountain lion. Keep eye contact, slowly back away and try to make yourself look as big as possible. Call 911 if you feel immediately threatened.
• Protect your property: Secure garbage cans, bird feeders and pet food to avoid attracting prey animals. Keep pets indoors at night and remove dense vegetation where a cougar could hide.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.
Original stories by Bee reporters Brook Baitinger and Don Sweeney.
This story was originally published April 22, 2026 at 7:57 AM.
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