A quiet Escondido block turned into a wildlife hot zone yesterday when a mountain lion wandered through a residential neighborhood and slid under a parked car, prompting a multi-agency response. Escondido police, animal rescue crews and state wildlife officials converged on the scene as a SkyRanger helicopter circled overhead and officers used parked vehicles for cover. Neighbors were told to steer clear of the 700 block of N. Grape St., local schools were put on alert, and so far, no injuries have been reported.
Police and wildlife crews responded
Escondido police say they first got the call around 1:30 PM about a mountain lion near homes and businesses and soon after advised residents to avoid the 700 block of N. Grape St., according to NBC 7 San Diego. NBC 7 footage shows SkyRanger 7 above the neighborhood while officers lie prone with guns drawn as animal rescue workers and state wildlife personnel operate nearby. The outlet reports that animal rescue teams and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife were assisting at the scene.
What state wildlife officials advise
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife estimates that about 40% of California provides suitable mountain lion habitat and notes that attacks on people remain rare. "Since 1890, there have been six known fatal human attacks" in the state, the agency reports. According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, residents should never approach or try to move a mountain lion, should secure small pets and livestock and should report sightings through the agency's Wildlife Incident Reporting system.
Sightings near homes are not unheard of
Encounters near neighborhoods sometimes occur where open canyons and preserved spaces border development, and trail cameras in the region have recently captured pumas moving close to homes. A recent example was a trail-cam clip above Santee Lakes earlier this spring, and officials continue to urge residents to cut down on attractants and keep a close eye on smaller pets, per Hoodline.
The Escondido incident was still considered an active response when it was first reported, and authorities asked people to stay away from the area while crews determined the next steps. This story will be updated as agencies release more information.
