A mountain lion was seen prowling the streets of downtown Vacaville, prompting a public safety alert from the local authorities. The Vacaville Police Department has confirmed the sighting, which was caught by a resident's camera in the early hours between West Street and Cernon Street near Main Street, according to documentation they released.
The video, timestamped at 1:50 AM last Saturday, showed the large cat briefly crossing a parking area before disappearing from view. It wasn't until the resident reviewed the footage recently that the incident came to light. Community members are now being advised to exercise caution.
Following the sighting, Vacaville PD has issued safety recommendations to the public, including keeping pets and children indoors and avoiding encounters with the mountain lion by not approaching or attempting to confront the animal. They also stress the importance of backing away slowly and making noise if one is spotted to allow the animal a clear path to retreat.
Residents who encounter a mountain lion are urged to protect small children by picking them up without bending over, and those who spot the animal should report the sighting to the Vacaville Police Department at 707–499–5200. Additionally, notifying the Wildlife Management hotline at 916–358–2917 or visiting wildlife.ca.gov is encouraged.
