San Francisco Officials Lift Mountain Lion Threat After Big Cat Leaves Park

The Panhandle Sighting and Emergency Response on Saturday Night

The initial morning report was confirmed at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday when a ranger with the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department saw the lion in the tree, as detailed by Animal Care and Control spokesperson Deb Campbell.

The apex predator was hiding in a tree near Fell and Baker Streets when the city’s animal control officers arrived at the scene Saturday in Panhandle near Golden Gate Park. Officials from San Francisco Animal Care & Control, San Francisco Recreation & Parks and the California Department of Fish & Wildlife lifted a threat of a mountain lion on Sunday after issuing an alert Saturday night. City officials scrambled a multi-department response involving the San Francisco Police Department, park rangers, wildlife wardens, and the Department of Emergency Management to safely resolve the situation. Authorities cordoned off the Panhandle’s northeast edge, closing Fell Street between Broderick and Central. Late Saturday, officials launched a drone and illuminated the canopy to locate the mountain lion, but didn’t see it.

Safe Departure and Official Assessment by Wildlife Authorities

By Sunday morning, the emergency operation concluded as responders determined the apex predator had left the area. Then on Sunday, animal control said in a Facebook post, While the lion has moved on to a more suitable area, the public should report any sightings to Animal Care & Control at (415) 554-9400. Animal Care and Control confirmed that the cougar had moved on to a more suitable area and that operations around the Panhandle have ended. No injuries have been reported.

The mountain lion wasn’t aggressive and exhibited defensive behavior only when climbing the tree, Campbell said. Officials said the mountain lion left the area safely overnight, and operations around the Panhandle have ended. In January, a young mountain lion was spotted near Lafayette Park and a day later in the Pacific Heights neighborhood. It was subsequently tranquilized by San Francisco Animal Care & Control and moved to a natural environment.

Public Safety Guidance and Neighborhood Reaction

Throughout the incident, emergency management teams issued clear directives for anyone encountering a wild cat in the city. Animal Care and Control is on scene, the emergency department said on Saturday. If you see the mountain lion, slowly back away, do not run. Officials advised to pick up any children with them and keep dogs on a leash.

If the mountain lion approaches, make yourself 'big,' wave your arms, shout, throw something, and again, do not run, the agency said. Call Animal Care & Control at 415-554-9400 or 911 in a life safety emergency.

Visitors to San Francisco’s Panhandle look up in a tree for signs of a mountain lion Sunday morning after one was spotted in the area the night before. Emergency responders search an area of the Panhandle on Saturday where a mountain lion is believed to be in a tree. Police prepare a drone near where the mountain lion is believed to be in a tree. An Animal Care and Control van is parked on Baker Street at the Panhandle, as emergency personnel respond to the sighting of a mountain lion in a tree on Saturday night.