Air-rescued hiker said they were ‘stalked’ by mountain lion: sheriff

(KRON) — The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office said its STAR 1 helicopter performed an air rescue mission late last week to help San Jose police find a stranded hiker inside the Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve.

Photo: The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office.

“The hiker reported that a mountain lion was stalking him while he was walking along the Boccardo Loop Trail,” SCCSO said. “With limited cell service and unable to safely continue, he remained in place roughly two miles from the trailhead until help could arrive.”

The sheriff’s office said STAR 1 quickly responded and located the hiker, who was not injured.

While the sheriff’s department described the hiker as a man, the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, which manages the Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve, told KRON4 that the hiker was a woman. KRON4 has not independently verified the sex of the hiker.

The group also disputed the sheriff’s use of the term “stalking,” telling KRON4, “the lack of other behaviors like crouching or following her for any sustained period of time is suggestive of typical and not aggressive lion behavior.”