{"id":417449,"date":"2026-07-30T02:27:19","date_gmt":"2026-07-30T02:27:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/417449\/"},"modified":"2026-07-30T02:27:19","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T02:27:19","slug":"warning-signs-posted-after-mountain-lion-spotted-at-mission-trails-regional-park-nbc-7-san-diego","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/417449\/","title":{"rendered":"Warning signs posted after mountain lion spotted at Mission Trails Regional Park \u2013 NBC 7 San Diego"},"content":{"rendered":"

Warning signs were placed around Mission Trails Regional Park on Wednesday after several people reported seeing a mountain lion in the area, according to the city of San Diego. Specifically, a mountain lion was spotted near the Suycott Valley Trail.<\/p>\n

The city warned hikers to stay alert, do not approach the mountain lion if you see one, and call 911 in case of an immediate threat.<\/p>\n

\u26a0\ufe0f The City of San Diego and Mission Trails Regional Park are reviewing a possible mountain lion encounter near Suycott Valley Trail. Stay alert, do not approach wildlife and call 911 for an immediate threat. <\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcf8: Department of Biology \/ Point Loma Nazarene University pic.twitter.com\/30FHIzUyjO<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 City of San Diego (@CityofSanDiego) July 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

“Anytime you enter a mountain lion\u2019s habitat, there’s a chance that you could see one,” said Mission Trails Park Ranger Steve Blankenship.<\/p>\n

“It was great to finally see one after many months of camera-tracking here in the park,” Blankenship said.<\/p>\n

Blankenship told NBC San Diego’s Joe Little that Point Loma Nazarene students have been studying the mammal population at the park and snapped this picture below.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Students<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t(Point Loma Nazarene University \/ Department of Biology)(Point Loma Nazarene University \/ Department of Biology)<\/p>\n

“This is a big open space. You know, thousands of acres. This is where the mountain lions want to live,” Blankenship said. “A mountain lion really proves that this habitat is intact.”<\/p>\n

“Yeah, I saw the sign right away. It was up there,” said Luis Ruan, a National City resident and one of the hundreds at Mission Trails Regional Park on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

“Just being out in nature, it helps you,” Ruan said.<\/p>\n

“This is its playground and hunting ground,” said Mission Trails Park Ranger Monica Demetry.<\/p>\n

Demetry said they\u2019re taking this opportunity to educate visitors.<\/p>\n

“This is definitely a rarity. I’ve worked here for a few years now, and this is the first sighting that we’ve had,” Demetry said.<\/p>\n

What should you do if you encounter a mountain lion?<\/p>\n

Park ranger Demetry offered these tips if you come too close to a mountain lion.<\/p>\n

Stand your ground. Just make sure you’re as big as possible.<\/p>\n

Throw your water bottle at them<\/p>\n

Scream, yell<\/p>\n

Don’t run<\/p>\n

Don’t crouch down<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t be too surprised if you spot a mountain lion \u2014 in the mountains. They lived here first.<\/p>\n

“That’s like going into the ocean and seeing a shark. Right? That’s where they live,” Blankenship said.<\/p>\n

Hiker Ruan agrees.<\/p>\n

“We need to respect them. We need to respect their habitat,” Ruan said.<\/p>\n

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