Mountain lion spotted in Palo Alto

Police and wildlife officials respond to sighting in residential neighborhood

Mar. 14, 2026 at 10:18pm

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A mountain lion was spotted in a residential area of Palo Alto, California on Saturday morning. Police and wildlife officials responded to the scene but the animal did not display any aggressive behavior.

Why it matters

Mountain lion sightings in urban areas of the San Francisco Bay Area are relatively rare, but can cause concern among residents about public safety. Proper response protocols are important to ensure the safety of both people and the wild animal.

The details

According to the Palo Alto Police Department, a resident reported seeing the mountain lion around 8:15 a.m. in the 700 block of North Hampton Drive. Police officers, animal control, and personnel from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife all responded to the scene. The mountain lion did not exhibit any aggressive actions.

  • The mountain lion was spotted on Saturday, March 14, 2026 around 8:15 a.m.

The players

Palo Alto Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the mountain lion sighting.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife

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

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What’s next

Residents are advised to call 911 if they spot the mountain lion again, and to avoid the area where the initial sighting occurred.

The takeaway

While mountain lion sightings in urban areas are uncommon, it's important for residents to be aware of proper response protocols to ensure the safety of both people and the wild animal when these rare encounters do occur.