Mountain Lions Spotted in Aptos Neighborhood

Residents report multiple sightings of a family of mountain lions roaming near their homes.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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A family of mountain lions, including two adults and two cubs, has been spotted several times in the mountains above Aptos, California, near the end of Newell Drive. Residents have reported seeing the lions roaming past their Ring cameras and are concerned about the potential danger, especially when taking their dogs out at night. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife says mountain lions are generally wary of people and will avoid populated areas, but they can sometimes make their way into neighborhoods, usually returning to their natural habitat.

Why it matters

Mountain lion sightings are becoming more common in the Aptos area, raising concerns about public safety and the potential impact on the local deer population that the lions prey on. The issue of mountain lion conservation is also timely, as the California Fish and Game Commission is currently considering whether to list the Southern California and Central Coast population of mountain lions as endangered under the state's Endangered Species Act.

The details

Residents like Jerry Ball have reported seeing the mountain lion family, including a female lion and two cubs, multiple times over the past few weeks. Ball said the lions make him a little nervous, but he recognizes that he has moved into their natural habitat. Another long-time resident, Norman Trengrove, said a neighbor recently saw a mountain lion kill a deer near his fence. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife estimates there are around 200 mountain lions between San Mateo and Big Sur, but they can roam over large territories.

  • A few weeks ago, a resident named Jerry Ball noticed a female mountain lion strolling down his driveway.
  • Three nights later, the female lion returned to Ball's property.
  • On February 3, the female lion was spotted again, this time with two cubs following behind her.
  • In May, a mountain lion was spotted in an Aptos neighborhood in the morning.

The players

Jerry Ball

A resident of the Aptos area who has spotted the mountain lion family multiple times near his home.

Norman Trengrove

An 83-year-old resident who has lived on Jingle Lane in the mountains southeast of Nisene Marks State Park for 63 years, and has not personally seen a mountain lion but has been told by neighbors that they have spotted them in the area.

Krypton Kellum

An information officer with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife who provided guidance on mountain lion behavior and safety.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife

The state agency responsible for managing and protecting California's wildlife, including mountain lions.

California Fish and Game Commission

The state commission that is considering whether to list the Southern California and Central Coast population of mountain lions as endangered under the California Endangered Species Act.

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What they’re saying

“I moved into their neighborhood, so I don't have much to say about it. It makes me a little nervous when I have to take the dogs out at nigh. I'm a little reluctant, but we live in the forest because we love the animals and the peace and quiet and we recognize we are intruding on their home. … You have to respect mother nature.”

— Jerry Ball, Resident (tpgonlinedaily.com)

“My wife (Carol Trengrove) and I were looking up at the power poles because they were covered with buzzards. I asked a neighbor about it and he said there was a deer carcass on the other side of his fence. He saw a mountain lion run down the deer and kill it.”

— Norman Trengrove, Resident (tpgonlinedaily.com)

“I worry we could be targets. It looks like we're getting a hell of a lot of lions around here. It's potentially dangerous.”

— Norman Trengrove, Resident (tpgonlinedaily.com)

“Mountain lions are active dusk through dawn. If you are aware of mountain lion sightings reported near your neighborhood, you should avoid taking walks or hiking or biking between dusk and dawn.”

— Krypton Kellum, Information Officer, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (tpgonlinedaily.com)

“Mountain lions are very wary of people and will avoid populated areas. On rare occasions they will make their way into populated areas, but usually return to the open space natural habitat they came from.”

— Krypton Kellum, Information Officer, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (tpgonlinedaily.com)

What’s next

The California Fish and Game Commission is expected to decide whether to list the Southern California and Central Coast population of mountain lions as endangered under the state's Endangered Species Act.

The takeaway

The increasing frequency of mountain lion sightings in the Aptos area highlights the need for residents to be aware of their presence and take appropriate safety precautions, while also underscoring the importance of conservation efforts to protect this iconic California species.