TO: Sonoma State Campus Community
FR: Nader Oweis, Chief of Police
Campus Community,
This morning at 4:30 a.m. the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety (RPDPS) Dispatch Center received several calls reporting a mountain lion walking along the Copeland Creek Trail between Country Club Drive and Snyder Lane.
The mountain lion appeared to be walking in a direction toward the campus. Officers from RPDPS and Sonoma State Police Department checked the trail but were unable to locate the mountain lion. Although mountain lion sightings are rare, they do occur at Sonoma State University. Please use caution and stay aware of your surroundings, especially late at night or in the early morning hours.
If you see a mountain lion on campus, immediately call 911 or (707) 664-4444.
SAFETY TIPS
If you encounter a lion, remember the goals are to convince it that you are not prey and that you may be dangerous. Follow these safety tips from the National Park Service:
- Do not approach a lion. Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation. Give them a way to escape.
- 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 you have small children with you, pick them up if possible so that 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. A human standing up is just not the right shape for a lion's prey. Conversely, a person squatting or bending over resembles a four-legged prey animal. In mountain lion country, avoid squatting, crouching or bending over, even when picking up children.
- Do all you can to appear larger. Raise your arms. Open your jacket if you are wearing one. Again, pick up small children. 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. 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. Individuals have fought back successfully with 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.