The Castroville Parks and Recreation Department took to social media on Saturday, August 8, to warn residents of a reported mountain lion sighting “close to the ‘creek’ in Regional Park.” “We do not have any additional information at this time but will update as soon as possible!” the post reads.
Along with the notice of the possible sighting, officials shared safety precautions to take with the possible sighting in mind, including encouraging children to play in groups outdoor during daylight hours with adult supervision, keeping pets leashed or indoors and always being in groups. And if a person happens to encounter a mountain lion, they need to make sure not to run, face the animal, make noise and try to look bigger or “stand your ground.”
Mountain lion sightings in Texas
Mountain lions are relatively secretive animals, making it difficult to estimate their population estimates. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has been using sightings to determine and track the population status of the cats in the state. So far this year, there have been 40 reports of mountain lions in Texas. In 2025, there were a total of 63 confirmed sightings across the state, according to the TPWD.
The most recent confirmed sighting in Medina County, where Castroville is located, was on May 5 this year. If confirmed, this would be the third confirmed sighting in the county, according to the TPWD. The most recent confirmed sighting in the state was from Presidio County on July 30.