Mountain lion captured near Brentwood Country Club after evading wildlife officials
A state wildlife official is warning residents of the dangers of mountain lions being spotted in the area near Brentwood Country Club, where state officials believe two cats were spotted last week.
Horseshoe Hill resident, Mark Riddle, said he saw two mountain lions on Friday and Saturday afternoon near his home in the area that is just outside the boundaries of the Brentwood Country Club.
Mark Riddle
Horseshoe Hill resident, Mark Riddle, said he saw two mountain lions on Friday and Saturday afternoon near his home in the area that is just outside the boundaries of the Brentwood Country Club.
“I have to tell you they are very active. They’re probably a little more dangerous than the cats I’ve been around,” Riddle told KNW Friday.
The two mountain lions were spotted near a fence line between two streets. According to a statement from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife the two are believed to be the same two cats from around April 9 to April 13, the first time they were sighted in the area south of Phelan Canyon Road.
“Since then, we’ve seen them near Brentwood in the mountains surrounding Santa Cruz and the area near the Brentwood Country Club has been open for hunting,” the statement reads. “There are no lions in the wild in the area of the Brentwood Country Club.”
According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, hunters on the Phelan Canyon Road and the Santa Cruz County land in the area south of Phelan Canyon Road have been asked to stay clear of the area around the Brentwood Country Club, as it contains mountain lion dens and kills.
“Because of the high hunting pressure in the area, wildlife officers have been patrolling in the area to try to deter illegal hunting,” the statement reads. “The problem also extends into the foothills. Wildlife officers are using helicopters to keep an eye on the area below the Brentwood Country Club area. Hunters in the area should be aware that the large number of mountain lions in the area could cause problems without adequate
