Elusive predator waits for car to pass — then dashes across street in CA city. See it
A sneaky creature’s elusive ways were caught on a surveillance camera in a California city, video shows.
A bright red pickup truck passes through a deserted pedestrian walkway in front of several storefronts, the video shows. Not even 30 seconds later, a mountain lion darts out from behind the cover of parked cars and dashes across the quiet downtown area of Salinas, California.
“That’s not something you see everyday…a mountain lion in Old Town Salinas!” the Salinas Police Department said on Facebook on Thursday, Sept. 5.
The cougar prowled through the downtown area just before 6 a.m., the department said. An “alert passerby” notified the department of the sighting.
The department worked with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to try to find the mountain lion, but it doesn’t appear the agencies were successful.
Then the next day, residents reported seeing mountain lion tracks in the area, but no other sign of the actual animal appeared, the department said.
Although the mountain lion “may have left the city,” the department reminded residents to be extra aware, especially in the days following the sighting.
Residents should “pay special attention” to children, bring pets indoors, and travel in groups after sunset, the department said.
“If you see the mountain lion, do not approach it and call 9-1-1,” the department said.
Despite the words of caution, several people joked in the comments section about the cougar’s behavior.
“I think he just wanted to go clubbing,” someone said.
“He’s heading to the movies,” another person said.
Several people also shared notifications from doorbell cameras in the area showing it was spotted in front of nearby homes.
“I was freaked out going to my car this morning,” a commenter wrote. “Didn’t want to run into it.”
Salinas is about a 60-mile drive southeast from San Jose.
This story was originally published September 11, 2024 at 7:49 AM with the headline "Elusive predator waits for car to pass — then dashes across street in CA city. See it."
