Rocklin Mountain Lion Prowling Neighborhoods

Rocklin, Calif.- Over the last two months, the Rocklin Police Department has received calls regarding the possible sighting of a large cat or mountain lion in residential neighborhoods.

The first sighting was reported on 2-21-14 at 4:26 pm when a resident on Morgan Court called police about a “bob cat” in his backyard. 

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The resident provided officers with a picture of the large cat which resembles a mountain lion.  The cat was gone when officers arrived, but based upon the photograph, the Police Department believes this to be a credible sighting of a mountain lion.  Rocklin Police immediately notified the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).

Rocklin Mountain Lion Sighting #1

On 4-4-14 at 1:53pm, officers were called to the area of Parker Whitney School to check on a possible “mountain lion” seen in the area.  Officers responded and checked the area using binoculars with negative results.  School officials were immediately notified, and students placed on temporary lock-down while officer searched for the possible mountain lion. School officials were very cooperative of efforts by the Police to protect children at the school. Police officers continued to look in the area for both paw prints or scat and found no physical evidence of a mountain lion.

On 4-6-14 at 10:48pm, a resident in the 5300 block of Humboldt Drive reported “a large cat or mountain lion” was in the area and was suspected of killing a domesticated cat.  Officers responded but found no sign of the animal. The CDFW was again notified of the sighting.

Rocklin Mountain Lion Sighting #2

According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) website, they log hundreds of Wildlife Incident Reports annually related to mountain lion sightings. On average, fewer than three percent of these reports result in a mountain lion being identified as an imminent threat to public safety and killed under the CDFW’s Wildlife Public Safety Guidelines. 

According to CDFW, the sighting of a mountain lion is not considered a public safety concern as long as the lion is not exhibiting aggressive behavior towards people.

Rocklin Police want to remind you to always we vigilant and maintain an awareness of your surroundings. Keep an eye on children and small animals, particularly in wooded areas and at dusk or nighttime.

In the unlikely event, you see or encounter a mountain lion:

• Make yourself appear as large as possible.  Do not crouch down or bend over
• Never turn your back or run from a mountain lion
• Slowly create distance and give the animal a chance to escape
• Protect your pets and keep them inside if possible
• Call Rocklin Police Department and report all sightings