Cameras capture mountain lion in Milpitas neighborhoods overnight
MILPITAS – Police in Milpitas issued a warning to residents Wednesday after cameras captured a mountain lion roaming through neighborhoods during the early morning hours.
The big cat was first spotted at the Friendly Village Mobile Home Park on Dixon Landing Road around 2 a.m. The mountain lion was reportedly on the west side of the complex, near the BART tracks.
Officers searched for the cat, even deploying drones with thermal imaging capabilities, but the animal was not found. Police said the Department of Fish and Game along with Santa Clara County Vector Control have been notified.
In an update Wednesday afternoon, Milpitas police said they received an additional report of a mountain lion in the area of Fairmeadow Way around 4:30 a.m., about two miles from the mobile home park. As with the first incident, the cat was caught on surveillance video.
Police urged residents, particularly joggers, cyclists and owners of small pets, to be aware of their surroundings following the mountain lion sighting.
Anyone who may encounter a mountain lion is urged not to approach and not to run.
"Running can often entice a predatory animal to chase. Instead, try to appear larger than the lion by waving your arms and speaking in a loud firm voice," police said.
The community is also urged to call 911 to report additional mountain lion sightings.
