Many residents have recently expressed concern about mountain lions seen within city limits, and I would like to provide an update on the actions the City is taking to address this issue.
I have been in direct contact with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and have spoken personally with Stacy, the state biologist assigned to this case. Stacy has been working throughout the summer to capture and relocate the mountain lion, but the effort has proven difficult. The animal has avoided existing traps because she is only allowed to use dead bait such as old carcasses or limbs from the grocery store. Most mountain lions and cats prefer live or fresh bait, which has raised ethical concerns among some within CDFW about utilizing those types of baiting practices.
While I respect those considerations, I’ve made it clear to CDFW and our state representatives that human safety must come first. I’ve also reported the issue directly to State Senator Megan Dahle and Assemblymember Heather Hadwick, emphasizing the urgency of relocating the mountain lion out of populated areas.
We are continuing to coordinate with both state offices and CDFW leadership to make sure this matter remains a top priority.
How You Can Help
One of the best ways for residents to help is to report every wildlife incident, especially those involving pets or livestock. These reports create a record that helps apply pressure for quicker state action and helps wildlife officers track the animal’s behavior and movement patterns.
You can report encounters, attacks, or sightings directly through CDFW’s online Wildlife Incident Reporting system at:
https://apps.wildlife.ca.gov/wir
You can also contact the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Northern Region (Region 1) office directly at:
(530) 225-2300
askregion1@wildlife.ca.gov
This office serves the counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama, and Trinity.
Safety Reminders
Please take the following precautions to help keep yourself, your family, and your neighbors safe:
Avoid walking alone at dawn, dusk, or night when mountain lions are most active.
Keep children and pets close to you and in well-lit, visible areas.
Do not leave pet food outdoors, as it attracts prey animals that mountain lions hunt.
Secure garbage cans and clean up fallen fruit from trees.
Make noise when walking outside after dark to avoid surprising wildlife.
Take care of your pets—keep them indoors at night or under close supervision when outside.
We will continue to work closely with the Department of Fish and Wildlife, our local school district, and our state representatives to ensure the safety of our community. I will keep residents informed as we receive new information or updates from the state.
Dustin Stambaugh
City Manager
City of Weed