Lion Killed by Car, Bobcat Caught as Sightings Continue

Continuing the recent rash of cougar forays into the San Fernando Valley, a mountain lion ate a family’s pet turkey. Another lion was killed by a car Tuesday, and an off-road bicyclist came face to face with a third.

Five to eight mountain lions have been seen in San Fernando Valley neighborhoods in the last two weeks, the most in such a short period, wildlife officials said.

In addition Tuesday, wildlife officials captured a bobcat suspected of eating a chicken in Lake View Terrace on Sunday. Bobcats are much smaller and less dangerous than mountain lions.

“It was busy all day,” said Dennis Kroeplin, the city’s chief wildlife officer.

The latest events began Monday, when a mountain lion devoured the Arechiga family’s pet turkey, Pablo. The lion apparently jumped the six-foot chain-link fence at the family’s home in Shadow Hills, seized the 50-pound tom, then leaped back over the barrier to eat the pet. Unlike many of his brothers, Pablo would have made it through Thanksgiving day alive, except for the lion, said Joseph Arechiga, 30.

“Pablo was not going to be eaten,” Arechiga said. “As it turned out, he was.”

About the same time the Arechiga family was discovering the lion’s handiwork, Vladimir Valdes was beginning a bicycle ride down a trail at the end of Mason Avenue north of Chatsworth. Near the trail head, a lion crossed the path in front of him.

Valdes, 31, ended his ride immediately.

Later Tuesday, a motorist accidentally struck and killed a young, 40-pound mountain lion about 6 p.m. on Valley Circle Boulevard near Calenda Drive in Woodland Hills, police said.

The driver, identified only as an elderly woman, was not hurt, police said.