The Antioch community is on alert as reports of mountain lion sightings have increased in residential areas over the past month. According to a post from the Antioch Police Department's Facebook page, a recent incident involved a juvenile mountain lion prowling in a backyard on William Reed Drive, which the police confirmed using an aerial drone. On separate occasions, other sightings were reported near Hillcrest Park and around the James Donlon and Contra Loma areas.
The Antioch Police Department has urged the local community to practice vigilance in light of these sightings. They advise residents to secure their pets at night and to eliminate potential attractants such as open food sources and water that might draw wildlife. They also stated that while mountain lion attacks are rare, it is important for anyone who experiences an attack to immediately contact emergency services by calling 911.
The police department has suggested preventive measures as they caution against leaving chickens, cats, and other pets outside that might lure in these big cats. Sightings and encounters can be reported to the Antioch Animal Services or California Fish & Wildlife.
