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Published on 09/09/1996 All articles from this issue

Mountain lions sighted in Los Altos Hills again - town sends out advisory

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By Kristina Allen / Town Crier Staff Writer

Los Altos Hills town officials have received reports of recent mountain lion sightings again, prompting the town to release a list of do's and don'ts for residents who may encounter the animals.

Town officials reported the first sighting during the week of Aug. 19 was near Foothill Lane and La Barranca Road. A few days later, the mountain lion was seen in the area of Westwind Way and Concepcion Road. A Foothill Lane resident, who requested anonymity, said he saw a mountain lion on his property about 9 p.m. on Aug. 29.

"My son-in-law walked down the driveway to go to his car," he said. "He heard snarls and scratching on the driveway and all of a sudden came face-to-face with it. He (the son-in-law) backed off slowly and came back to the house."

The mountain lion finally left when it was startled by another car starting its engine.

"This is the biggest one (mountain lion) I've ever seen," said the 40-year resident of Los Altos Hills. "Later on that night another lion, or it could have been the same one, was under my neighbor's pepper tree - Somebody is going to get hurt if nothing is done."

Town officials offer the following suggestions, collected from the state Department of Fish and Game, if you do encounter a mountain lion:

Keep children close to you; do not approach mountain lions, do not run from a mountain lion, do not crouch down or bend over.

Try to appear larger by raising your arms. Open your jacket, wave your arms, speak firmly in a loud voice and fight back if attacked by throwing rocks, sticks, and garden tools. If there are small children with you, pick them up, if possible, but avoid bending over to do so.

If you encounter a mountain lion, contact the regional office of the California Department of Fish and Game during regular business hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The warden's dispatch number is (707) 944-5512. After hours, call the Santa Clara County Sher