Mountain Lion Sighting Prompts Warning in Millbrae
A mountain lion was reportedly sighted in Millbrae, leading local authorities to issue a safety warning to residents. The incident highlights the ongoing issue of wildlife moving into urban and suburban areas in the Bay Area. Residents are advised to be particularly cautious at dawn and dusk.
- The mountain lion population in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the likely source of the animal, is estimated to be only 50 to 60 breeding adults and is considered at-risk due to genetic isolation. - Millbrae is located at the wildland-urban interface, with its western edge bordering open spaces connected to the Santa Cruz Mountains, such as the Crystal Springs Regional Trail. This proximity makes occasional encounters with wildlife like mountain lions more likely as they navigate fragmented habitats. - Interstate 280, which runs along the western border of Millbrae, has been identified by a UC Davis study as the deadliest highway in California for mountain lions. This major roadway acts as a significant barrier, forcing animals into developed areas as they attempt to find food and mates. - Research from the UC Santa Cruz Puma Project indicates that habitat fragmentation from roads and development is a primary threat, leading to inbreeding and lower survival rates for the local mountain lion population. - A recent sighting in April 2024 occurred on Lomita Avenue near Junipero Serra Park, while a 2021 sighting captured on a surveillance camera took place on Aura Vista. - Mountain lions are a "specially protected species" in California, and hunting them has been banned since the passage of Proposition 117 in 1990. - Experts note that while mountain lions typically avoid humans, young males are often pushed into suburban areas as they seek to establish their own territory away from older, more dominant males. - The California Department of Fish and Wildlife recommends that residents in areas with mountain lion activity avoid leaving out pet food and secure garbage to not attract deer, a primary prey for the lions.
