A mountain lion followed a runner at San Diego’s Mission Trails Regional Park last week, approaching within five to eight feet and baring its teeth before the runner backed away slowly and called 911. I looked up the Hoodline report on the incident, which confirms this is one of nine mountain lion sightings in that same park since June 2026. No one was injured, and wildlife officials responded to the area but did not locate the animal.
Mission Trails Cougar Activity
This marks the ninth reported mountain lion sighting at the 6,800-acre park since June, a notable cluster that has drawn attention from California Department of Fish and Wildlife officials. The runner, who was on a trail near the park’s southern entrance, said the cougar followed him for roughly 100 yards before stopping and displaying defensive behavior. California’s mountain lion population is estimated at 4,000 to 6,000 animals, and encounters are most common in foothill and coastal areas like San Diego County.
The park remains open, though wildlife officials have posted signs warning visitors about recent cougar activity and advising hikers and runners to keep their distance. Compared to earlier cases, the proximity in this incident, within five feet, makes it one of the closer encounters documented in the area this year.
What This Means for Homeowners and Trail Users
While the encounter occurred in a regional park, mountain lions occasionally wander into suburban neighborhoods that border wildland areas, particularly in Southern California. If you live near open space in San Diego County, it’s wise to keep pets indoors at dawn and dusk, when cougars are most active, and to avoid leaving out food sources like pet bowls or unsecured trash that could attract deer, the lion’s primary prey. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife recommends making yourself look larger by raising your arms or opening a jacket if you encounter a cougar, and never running, which can trigger a chase response.
The Hoodline report confirmed that no further sightings have been reported since the incident, and officials continue to monitor the area.
The notice is published by Hoodline at hoodline.com.
