Overview
- A San Francisco park ranger confirmed seeing a mountain lion up a tree in the Panhandle near Fell and Baker on Saturday, prompting police and park rangers to cordon the area.
- City Animal Care and Control said the lion "safely exited the situation overnight" and that there is currently no known threat, while the California Department of Fish and Wildlife reported its wardens never saw the animal and police used thermal drones to check the tree.
- Authorities received an unconfirmed sighting Sunday near 44th and Fulton, so crews continue to treat the situation as developing and ask residents to report any sightings to ACC or 911 for life-safety emergencies.
- Officials urged simple safety steps for anyone who sees a mountain lion: slowly back away, do not run, keep dogs leashed and children close, make yourself look large if the animal approaches, and call Animal Care and Control at 415-554-9400.
- Researchers say mountain lions sometimes wander into city edges from Peninsula and coastal wildlands, many sighting reports are false positives, and past visitors have been tracked and returned to wild habitat, so officials expect the animal will likely move back on its own.