Park closed after mountain lion sighted

From staff reports
Ventura County Star
Monday, August 27, 2007

Ventura's Parks Division shut down Arroyo Verde Park in Ventura over the weekend after reports of a mountain lion sighting and may reopen it Tuesday, according to a Ventura Police Department official.

The Police Department received two calls about 10:30 a.m. Saturday, with each caller having spotted the animal near the entrance of the park, Lt. Jerry Thurston said.

Officials from the California Department of Fish and Game did not find anything and could not confirm if the animal was a mountain lion or bobcat, Thurston said.

Mountain lions are larger than bobcats and more likely to attack animals or people, he said.

The park will reopen Tuesday if there are no reports of other sightings, said Thurston, who encouraged people to go to other city parks, which are open.

Officials closed a portion of Arroyo Verde Park in June after mountain lion sightings.

Anyone who sees a mountain lion should not approach the animal or run, Thurston said. The person should fight a mountain lion if it attacks, he said, and people should call 911 to report a sighting.

If a mountain lion is found at the park and poses no threat, Fish and Game officials will not do anything to it, said Steve Martarano, supervising information officer. Officials can take action if a lion attacks a pet or is a safety risk to the public, he said.

For information, visit www.ci.ventura.ca.us and click on "Mountain Lion Sighting — Arroyo Verde Park Closed" near the top of the Web page.

RELATED STORY (MOUNTAIN LION ATTACKS)

Investigation of Possible Mountain Lion Attack Begins

wibw.com - Kansas News Leader

Posted: 2:14 PM Aug 27, 2007
Last Updated: 10:16 AM Aug 28, 2007

Kansas Wildlife and Parks is investigating an incident involving a Wabaunsee High School teen, who says he was attacked by what appeared to be a mountain lion while jogging early Saturday morning.

17 year old Wayne Flerlage reports he was jogging two miles east of Alma in Wabaunsee County around 12:30 Saturday morning when a large cat came up behind him and knocked him down.

Flerlage says he pushed the cat away and then kicked it under the chin, chasing it away. Flerlage has scratches and cuts on his arms and chest.

Flerlage's mother, Diane, who works at Wabaunsee High School tells 13 News that Wayne is an avid runner and was out on a workout when he was surprised by the attack. She says her son, who preferred not to be interviewed, thinks the cat was curious and not looking at him as prey.

In the past, the state has contended there are no mountain lions in Kansas, but 13 News has reported several sightings by people who say they spotted a mountain lion at several locations in NE Kansas.

ANOTHER STORY:

Mountain lion forces school closure

Thursday, August 23, 2007

SFgate.com

(08-23) 15:35 PDT Napa, Calif. (AP) --

San Francisco, CA - An unconfirmed mountain lion sighting early Thursday forced the closure of a local school, according to school officials.

A local resident reported seeing the lion around 7:10 a.m. in the preschool playground area of St. John's Lutheran School, which has about 300 students enrolled from preschool through eighth grade.

Principal Joel Wahlers said he decided to close the school as a safety precaution. Classes had resumed for the school year just a day earlier.

Police spent two hours searching for the animal in the north Napa neighborhood where the school is located but found no signs of it, said Napa Police Sgt. Paul Paniagua. He said a mountain lion in the city was "pretty unlikely."

OTHER RELATED STORY:


 
Pets on Mountain Lion Menu in Colorado Springs
KJCT8.com - Aug 25, 2007
Mountain lions are killing pets on the west side of Colorado Springs and in Manitou Springs. The Gazette reported that the Colorado Division of Wildlife has posted signs in the area warning of the threat.
Mountain lion forces school closure
San Francisco Chronicle - Aug 23, 2007
A mountain lion sighting early Thursday has forced the closure of a local school, according to school officials. The mountain lion was seen around 7:10 am in the preschool playground area of St. John's Lutheran School, which has about 300 students ...

 
Napa school closes after mountain lion spotted on campus
Vallejo Times-Herald - Aug 24, 2007
Two neighbors of St. John's Lutheran School in Napa reported seeing a mountain lion around 7:10 am Thursday. (Courtesy photo) NAPA - St.

 

 

 

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