PASADENA, Calif. (KABC) — A Pasadena resident who first noticed unusual droppings on the roof of his guesthouse earlier this month later came face-to-face with what he believes was the animal responsible — a mountain lion standing just yards away in his backyard.<\/p>\n
The rare sighting is putting neighbors on alert for cougars on the prowl.<\/p>\n
“I looked up, and I saw poop on the roof,” recalled homeowner Bill Dabney. He said it was clear the droppings were not from a bird.<\/p>\n
“It was like four separate stools,” he said.<\/p>\n
Dabney said he soon discovered the source only about 10 yards away. “All of a sudden I look over and (there’s a) mountain lion staring at me,” he said.<\/p>\n
Home security video captured the somewhat scrawny mountain lion lounging in his backyard on May 3.<\/p>\n
“He was in the position mode, like he was going to spring,” Dabney said. His reaction was immediate.<\/p>\n
“Time to go!” he said. “I took off running!”<\/p>\n
Dabney’s home on Martelo Avenue is just a few blocks south of where another mountain lion sighting was reported a couple of days later.<\/p>\n
“It’s very possible it’s the same cat, but we just don’t know,” said Kevin McManuse with the Pasadena Humane Society.<\/p>\n
McManus said mountain lion sightings in Pasadena are extremely rare, but recent environmental changes could be pushing wildlife farther into residential areas.<\/p>\n
“The Eaton Fire had massive, devastating effects, not too far away from the cougar’s natural habitat, so it’s very possible they’re here looking for food, water and shelter,” he said.<\/p>\n
Wildlife experts advise anyone who encounters a mountain lion to make themselves appear large and make loud noises to scare the animal away.<\/p>\n
Dabney said he now checks his surroundings carefully each time he steps outside.<\/p>\n
“I’m looking like this,” he said, spinning around to demonstrate.<\/p>\n
Despite feeling sympathy for the seemingly underfed animal, he added, “He looks hungry. I felt bad for him, but not that bad.”<\/p>\n
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