On July 11, at approximately 12:44 p.m., a large cat was spotted near the San Luis Obispo Campus Facilities Department, which is located behind the college campus on Colusa Road. The area where the sighting occurred is property of Camp San Luis. Officers with the Cuesta College Police Department responded to the reported sighting but were unable to locate the animal. It could not be confirmed whether the animal was a mountain lion or bobcat. As a precaution, warning signs have been placed throughout campus and will remain up through Monday, July 18. The Cuesta College Police Department is asking that mountain lion sightings be reported immediately to Campus Safety at (805) 546-3205.

Campus Safety also recommends:

Please use caution and be aware of your surroundings at all times when you are outdoors.

If you observe a mountain lion exhibiting aggressive behavior, please call:
CALL CAMPUS POLICE AT 546-3205 or
        1.  Camp SLO Front Gate Security 805-594-6571 or CAGNET x66571
        2.  Camp SLO Post Operations at 805-594-6413 or CAGNET x66413
             (Weekends-Range Control at 805-594-6529 or CAGNET x66529)
        3.  CSLO Director of Plans, Training and Security at 805-594-6605 or CAGNET x66605

Below are some tips from the Department of Forest & Game website regarding WHAT TO DO IF ENCOUNTERING A MOUNTAIN LION:

 

* DO NOT HIKE ALONE


* 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

* 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 there are small children there, pick them up if possible so they don't panic and run. Although it may be awkward, pick them up without bending over or turning away from the mountain lion.


* DO NOT CROUCH DOWN OR BEND OVER: 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.

 

* APPEAR LARGER: Raise your arms. Open your jacket if you are wearing one. 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: Many potential victims have fought back successfully with rocks, 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.