Over the last several weeks, the City has been working closely with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and our Police Department to monitor possible mountain lion activity around the southern edge of town. I want to provide the community with an update on what we are seeing, the steps we are taking, and how residents can contribute.
Current Monitoring and Response
CDFW Biologist Stacy Anderson and a qualified wildlife trapper have been actively monitoring potential travel corridors using trail cameras placed along the railroad line and Boles Creek. These cameras are being checked daily.
So far, the cameras have captured:
Coyotes
Bobcats
Fox
Raccoons
Jackrabbits
Domestic cats
And several large off-leash dogs
Currently, we do not have a confirmed image of a mountain lion on camera.
However, we did receive a new report late last night from Weed PD near Boles Creek, close to a hotel property. CDFW visited the site this morning, and the property owner has granted permission to place additional cameras and, if necessary, set a trap on the site. This is a positive development, because it increases our ability to confirm movement patterns and respond appropriately.
Additionally, the elementary school has agreed to allow CDFW to install additional monitoring cameras as part of an expanded coverage plan in areas where animal movement corridors are known.
Understanding Mountain Lion Behavior
This situation must be approached with calm awareness, not fear. Scientific research on mountain lion movement patterns shows that:
Mountain lions are primarily active between dusk and dawn.
They tend to move along natural corridors such as creeks, rail lines, and forest edges.
They are opportunistic hunters, meaning they follow where prey is most consistently available.
When other predators (such as coyotes or large dogs) are active in the same area, lions may shift their range temporarily and return later.
Lions may linger where there are high concentrations of feral or outdoor domestic cats, small animals, or unsecured food sources.
In other words:
Reducing attractants is one of the most effective community-level safety measures we can take.
How You Can Help
Protect Pets
Bring pets indoors at night.
Do not leave pet food outside.
Keep small animals close and supervised outdoors, especially at dawn and dusk.
Reduce Attractants
Secure trash cans.
Avoid leaving food or water outside.
Report stray or feral cat colonies so the City can coordinate with rescue and management partners.
If You Believe You See a Mountain Lion
It is crucial that sightings are reported through the official wildlife reporting system. This enables CDFW to track behavioral patterns and respond accordingly.
Report sightings to:
https://apps.wildlife.ca.gov/wir
CDFW Northern Region Contact:
(530) 225-2300
askregion1@wildlife.ca.gov
If you encounter a mountain lion:
Stay calm.
Do not run.
Make yourself appear larger.
Maintain eye contact and back away slowly.
Ensure children are closely supervised outdoors.
Moving Forward
We will continue to work closely with the CDFW daily. Once we have a confirmed trackable sighting, CDFW and the licensed trapper are prepared to deploy tracking dogs in approved areas.
For now, there is no need for alarm, but there is a need for awareness, responsible pet management, and accurate reporting.
We will keep the community updated as soon as verified information becomes available.
Stay safe, stay aware, and thank you for looking out for one another.
— Dustin Stambaugh
City Manager, City of Weed