Mountain Lion Cub	Mountain Lion Adult

A large mountain lion was sighted at mid-morning in late November, 2006 near the Lawrence Hall of Science and then observed moving toward Bldg. 76 at Berkeley Lab. In late October, 2006, another sighting was reported in the Old Town/Bldg. 76 area of the Lab.

Prior to these most recent incidents, in late October, 2005, a deer was reported killed by a mountain lion in the Old Town area between Bldgs. 40, 41 and the Fire House. Also, in January, 2004 around 8pm, a lion was seen walking behind Bldg. 51 in the vicinity of Bldgs. 64 and 55 and 63.

Information for LBNL employees & guests

A few mountain lions are known to inhabit the East Bay Hills between the Caldecott Tunnel and San Pablo. While sightings are relatively infrequent, there are occasional reports of a mountain lion on the Berkeley Lab premises or the surrounding UC property. Repeated sightings in one area usually indicate that the animal is feeding on a deer carcass, which may take a week to consume.

The information on this page provides general guidance on safe practices in areas inhabited by mountain lions and humans.

Whom to call?

Call Security x6999 to report all sightings. The Security Officer will record the sighting and observe the area of the sighting. The officer will provide escort assistance to the caller's vehicle or another destination if requested. The officer will not attempt to take any action to provoke the animal. All employees should follow the guidance below on what to do or not do.

What to do and what not to do:

If you have plans to be in the hills east of the Berkeley Campus, we ask that you please be careful and keep the recent sightings in mind. If you should encounter a mountain lion, the California Department of Fish and Game suggests the following:

DO NOT HIKE ALONE: Go in groups, with adults supervising children.

KEEP CHILDREN CLOSE TO YOU: Observations of captured wild mountain lions reveal that the animals seem especially drawn to children. Keep children within your sight at all times.

DO NOT APPROACH A LION: Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation. Give them a way to escape.

DO NOT RUN FROM A LION: Running may stimulate a mountain lion's instinct to chase. Instead, stand and face the animal. Make eye contact. If you have small children with you, pick them up if possible so they don't panic and run. Although it may be awkward, pick them up with out bending over or turning away from the mountain lion.

DO NOT CROUCH DOWN OR BEND OVER: A person squatting or bending over looks a lot like a four-legged prey animal. Avoid squatting, crouching or bending over, even when picking up children.

DO ALL YOU CAN TO APPEAR LARGER: Raise your arms. Open your jacket if you are wearing one. Again, pick up small children. Throw stones, branches, or whatever you can reach without crouching or turning your back. Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly in a loud voice. The idea is to convince the mountain lion that you are not prey and that you may be a danger to it.

FIGHT BACK IF ATTACKED: A hiker in Southern California used a rock to fend off a mountain lion that was attacking his son. Others have fought back successfully with sticks, caps, jackets, garden tools and their bare hands. Since a mountain lion usually tries to bite the head or neck, try to remain standing and face the attacking animal.

Please direct questions and comments about this web page to Site Access siteaccess@lbl.gov.

Photographs and Information courtesy of the State of California, Department of Fish & Game