Mountain lion spotted in Glendale neighborhoods

Recent mountain lion sightings in the hillside neighborhoods of Glendale prompted city officials on Thursday to release a new website that will allow residents to report wildlife sightings and check out other sightings logged in the area.

The site, created by city tech staffers, was designed to track public sightings of mountain lions, bears, bobcats, coyotes and deer, but is not a substitute for reporting an emergency.

“We still expect you to pick up the phone and call 911 if you feel you are in danger,” said city spokesman Tom Lorenz.

Users can file a report by clicking on the “Wildlife Animal Sightings” link on the city’s homepage and then pinpoint the location on a map.

The reports won’t be sent directly to the police and fire departments, but Lorenz said commanders will monitor the map.

Just this week, a resident reported seeing a mountain lion at about 6 p.m. Tuesday in the 1400 block of Del Monte Drive, Lorenz said. By the time the officers arrived, the lion had apparently left.

Animal control officers with the Pasadena Humane Society, which services Glendale, also responded to a report of a mountain lion sighting that day on Mountain Street, according to spokeswoman Ricky Whitman. But they did not see the animal.

Paul Briggs said his wife, Christin Ciaccio Briggs, had to scare away a young mountain lion that day after it got too close for comfort to their Jack Russell terrier in the Rossmoyne area.

Coyotes, rabbit and sometimes deer have been known to visit the area, Briggs said.

The sighting was the second report of a mountain lion in less than two weeks.

Residents also notified police on May 24 of a mountain lion in the backyard of a home in the 2800 block of Kennington Drive — roughly three miles from this week’s sighting.

Sightings reported through the city’s website will remain on the map for seven days, allowing residents to track trends or behaviors that may be attracting wildlife to a given area.

“This is an effective way to monitor and educate people and keep them informed,” Lorenz said.

--

Follow Veronica Rocha on Google+ and on Twitter: @VeronicaRochaLA.