Mountain lion spotted above Parkland Farms

Sighting Monday afternoon a reminder to be aware
A teenager walking home from school Monday afternoon spotted a possible mountain lion in the tree-line above Parkland Farms Boulevard.
The area is a natural habitat for mountain lions, which have been seen before in the hills above the city.
Healdsburg Police notified the public of the sighting via nixle.com, a website that public safety agencies can use to communicate with residents who are signed up to receive alerts.
Healdsburg Police Lieutenant Matt Jenkins said the department hasn’t received any additional reports since the initial sighting, but urged the community to call police, especially if the mountain lion makes its way onto city streets.
“It was seen to the west of Quarry Ridge, between Rosewood and Quarry Ridge,” he said. “That is a natural habitat for mountain lions — it’s an undeveloped area with straight access to the river. We are encroaching into their space.”
Mountain lions are reported year round in Sonoma County, but sightings typically increase in the spring, according to the California Department of Fish and Game.
Because mountain lions are a protected species, as long as they remain in their natural habitat, they won’t be relocated.
But, Jenkins said, it was important to get the word out about the mountain lion sighting so that people can be more prepared.
“There are a lot of people walking and running in that area,” he said. “It’s better to be prepared for it rather than come up on it and be surprised.”
Fish and Game advises that if you do come up on a mountain lion to make yourself look big, and don’t run.