49 replies to this topic

[fireflybrite]

I would lean towards the direction of Yes, it was a Mountain Lion sighting. There was a mountain lion seen when the new bridge was being built, and the trail from Negro Bar leads directly to the new bridge area. I think the public needs to know about this incident to make everyone aware of the possible danger. I have seen many women and sometimes women and children hiking and running off the paved course in this area. These dirt paths that are often ran and walked on by people are also the type of tracks deer walk on. Mountain Lions track scents of deer so this means danger in my eyes to all the hikers and runners that take these paths also.

It would be horrible if this incident was kept quite and brushed under the mat and some innocent walker, runner, hiker, or child were to be attacked or killed because they were not aware of this danger.

They need to Post signs and in the media let people know of this possible danger.

[sty10k]

So some constructions workers saw one at least a quarter mile away, and some Boy Scouts saw one at 2 AM. Sorry, but these don't sound like very reliable sighting.

I don't doubt that it is possible for mountain lions to come down this far, but it is highly unlikely. They do not come into civilization, civilization comes to them (think hikers going into the wilderness). Folsom has some very pretty nature areas, but even along the bike trail it is still too built up to suit the tastes of mountain lions.

[Steve Heard]

So some constructions workers saw one at least a quarter mile away, and some Boy Scouts saw one at 2 AM. Sorry, but these don't sound like very reliable sighting.

I don't doubt that it is possible for mountain lions to come down this far, but it is highly unlikely. They do not come into civilization, civilization comes to them (think hikers going into the wilderness). Folsom has some very pretty nature areas, but even along the bike trail it is still too built up to suit the tastes of mountain lions.

I'd like to think there was no mountain lion.

They usually hunt at dawn and dusk, and generally stalk and attack their prey, rather than waltzing into a campground to make off with a backpack.

Having said that, I use the bike/jog paths frequently, including an 8 miler on Sunday, and I do sometimes wonder if there's something hiding along the trails. I called my daughter, who was with friends by the bridge, and warned her.

I called Folsom PD, Cal Dept of Fish and Game, State Parks NorCom dispatch, and city of Folsom. No one had any info on it. State Parks said that it would have caused a pretty big investigation and search, and a possible park evacuation, and Fish and Game said that they would have sent their biologist as part of the investigation, but they had not received any reports about sighting.

All said they absolutely would make a public statement about it if it were true.

For now, I'll err on the side of caution and keep a look out, and maybe will jog the trails when I know there will be lots of folks around.

[fireflybrite]

I'd like to think there was no mountain lion.

They usually hunt at dawn and dusk, and generally stalk and attack their prey, rather than waltzing into a campground to make off with a backpack.

Having said that, I use the bike/jog paths frequently, including an 8 miler on Sunday, and I do sometimes wonder if there's something hiding along the trails. I called my daughter, who was with friends by the bridge, and warned her.

I called Folsom PD, Cal Dept of Fish and Game, State Parks NorCom dispatch, and city of Folsom. No one had any info on it. State Parks said that it would have caused a pretty big investigation and search, and a possible park evacuation, and Fish and Game said that they would have sent their biologist as part of the investigation, but they had not received any reports about sighting.

All said they absolutely would make a public statement about it if it were true.

For now, I'll err on the side of caution and keep a look out, and maybe will jog the trails when I know there will be lots of folks around.

[fireflybrite]

Yes, Please be safe, and keep a watchful eye out. Maybe in the past I might feel like lack of media is a good signal it's not a fact but a fiction. Unfortuantely in today's economy I would lean towards the Officials and City keeping something like this quite in order to assure tourists and campers continued flow/attendance during the Rodeo season and Memorial Day Holiday. Business people and the town needs the flow of people for the flow of money, something like this would definitely hurt their projected cash flow.

[Steve Heard]

Yes, Please be safe, and keep a watchful eye out. Maybe in the past I might feel like lack of media is a good signal it's not a fact but a fiction. Unfortuantely in today's economy I would lean towards the Officials and City keeping something like this quite in order to assure tourists and campers continued flow/attendance during the Rodeo season and Memorial Day Holiday. Business people and the town needs the flow of people for the flow of money, something like this would definitely hurt their projected cash flow.

I think it requires too much of a conspiracy to keep it quiet. It goes from Folsom PD to State Parks, to Fish and Game, and I can't imagine any of them suggesting or let alone getting everyone to agree to keep it quiet, risk someone getting hurt, and then getting sued for much more than the parking fees they'll make that weekend.

[Darth Lefty]

Unfortuantely in today's economy I would lean towards the Officials and City keeping something like this quite in order to assure tourists and campers continued flow/attendance during the Rodeo season and Memorial Day Holiday. Business people and the town needs the flow of people for the flow of money, something like this would definitely hurt their projected cash flow.

Time for movie night, I suggest Jaws

[irish1]

Several yrs. ago myself and four other ofc's stood guard on a mountain lion in the 7000 block of Folsom-Auburn rd. The cat crossed in front of bicyclists on the bike trail at about 7:45 AM and moved to the rear yard fenceline of those homes along there. We found her laying under a clump of bushes in plain view, with 2 large dogs barking like crazy in one of the rear yards. The cat was only 30 yards from the bike trail, and watched our every move, but really, didn't seem too concerned. (an ofc. drove to the front of the houses, and had residents bring in their pets).

We stood with that cat for better than 90 minutes waiting for State Fish -n - Game. When the (biologist/ warden) arrived, he commenced 'chewing us out' because we all had shotguns and he thought we were out to shoot it, and then he chewed on us for 'blocking all her escape routes to return to her territory.' He had us disperse, actually nearby, and sure enough, she split towards the dam, n/b.... I estimate her (him) to have been about 70 to 80 pounds, and the size of a medium German Sheperd....

[The Average Joe]

Several yrs. ago myself and four other ofc's stood guard on a mountain lion in the 7000 block of Folsom-Auburn rd. The cat crossed in front of bicyclists on the bike trail at about 7:45 AM and moved to the rear yard fenceline of those homes along there. We found her laying under a clump of bushes in plain view, with 2 large dogs barking like crazy in one of the rear yards. The cat was only 30 yards from the bike trail, and watched our every move, but really, didn't seem too concerned. (an ofc. drove to the front of the houses, and had residents bring in their pets).

We stood with that cat for better than 90 minutes waiting for State Fish -n - Game. When the (biologist/ warden) arrived, he commenced 'chewing us out' because we all had shotguns and he thought we were out to shoot it, and then he chewed on us for 'blocking all her escape routes to return to her territory.' He had us disperse, actually nearby, and sure enough, she split towards the dam, n/b.... I estimate her (him) to have been about 70 to 80 pounds, and the size of a medium German Sheperd....

Always remember that despite man's attempt to tame nature, the "wilds" are not that far away. Just be aware of your surroundings and prepare/behave appropriately.

[Nancy]

I remember back in the mid 1990s they trapped a mountain lion after it was spotted in the Sierra Gardens apartment complex on Douglas Blvd in Roseville, which is probably only a half mile from 1-80.

I was trying to search for an article about it (it was on the news at the time) and didn't find that, but found this - http://cbs13.com/loc...e.2.473436.html . It mentioned a mountain lion found living in Maidu Park a few years prior to this article, which was in 2006.

So although it's rare, it does happen around here.

Nancy

[Folsomdad]

So some constructions workers saw one at least a quarter mile away, and some Boy Scouts saw one at 2 AM. Sorry, but these don't sound like very reliable sighting.

I don't doubt that it is possible for mountain lions to come down this far, but it is highly unlikely. They do not come into civilization, civilization comes to them (think hikers going into the wilderness). Folsom has some very pretty nature areas, but even along the bike trail it is still too built up to suit the tastes of mountain lions.

Several years ago, a mountain lion was found in an Orangevale back yard about 2 miles from the campground. I think its totally likly that the boy scouts and their adult chaperons saw an actual mountain lion.

That said, I don't think its cause to get too worried.

[Sandman]

For the dis-believers here are a few things to consider...

1) History - cats have turned up over the years in local populous areas (Roseville, Orangevale come to mind)
2) Inwit already touched on the fact that cat populations have increased steadily since hunting in CA was banned some years ago. Mountain Lions need large territories and as a result get pushed into populous areas such as ARC.
3) Sick animals do not behave like normal animals and often wander into populated areas
4) The ARC is full of unsuspecting deer and turkeys. Why would a cat not want to hang out here for an easy meal...

[Inwit]

So some constructions workers saw one at least a quarter mile away, and some Boy Scouts saw one at 2 AM. Sorry, but these don't sound like very reliable sighting.

I don't doubt that it is possible for mountain lions to come down this far, but it is highly unlikely. They do not come into civilization, civilization comes to them (think hikers going into the wilderness). Folsom has some very pretty nature areas, but even along the bike trail it is still too built up to suit the tastes of mountain lions.

that's pretty naive thinking, They have been spotted as far down the river as CSUS. Every couple of years there is one that wanders down here into civilization. As I said before, as their population increases, they have to find unclaimed territory. when they come of age, mom chases them away from her territory.

[leapin26]

They need to Post signs and in the media let people know of this possible danger.

There are signs already. It was even shown in the video.

When I used to live not too long ago, in Victoria, British Columbia (a big city), we had cougars come into the city QUITE OFTEN. One time I remember it was right by the Empress Hotel I think, in a very populous area.

So it does not surprise me to hear about cougars along the American River parkway, there are lots of wooded areas along there. And it should definitely not be cause for alarm, especially considering this was at 2AM.