Menlo Park residents find themselves on edge as a mountain lion was spotted early Monday morning in the Sharon Heights area, adding to a string of big cat sightings across the Bay Area this year, according to NBC Bay Area. The lion was seen along the back fence line of the Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club, prompting police to issue an advisory for locals to remain vigilant.
Interestingly, wildlife officials announced that the mountain lion didn't appear to be aggressive, and hence, did not represent an immediate danger to the community, as reported by the police. However, many residents remain cautious given the increased sightings of these animals in populated Bay Area communities like Petaluma, San Jose, Cotati, Yountville, and Stockton since the start of the year.
Earlier in the day, a driver had reported spotting a mountain lion outside the Sharon Heights Golf Club, Patch revealed. The Menlo Park Police Department sent an officer to search for the big cat, with golf course staff members assisting in the hunt. While none of them could locate the elusive creature, it's theorized that the heavy presence of people and vehicles in the surrounding area may have scared the feline away.
Caution is necessary, especially considering that in January, a 5-year-old boy was attacked by a mountain lion a few miles south of Half Moon Bay in unincorporated San Mateo County, according to Patch.
