Second mountain lion sighting at Lompoc AHC campus

Allan Hancock College received a report of a confirmed mountain lion sighting near the Lompoc Valley Center (LVC) at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17. This the second sighting in the past week (initial sighting occurred on Tuesday, Sept. 10).

According to initial reports, the animal was spotted on the southeast side of the LVC near the bike path adjacent to parking lot B and H Street.  The Lompoc Police Department and California Department of Fish and Wildlife have been notified and are working in partnership with the Allan Hancock College District Police Department. As a precaution, the college has also placed warning signs on the LVC campus. Information on what to do in the event of a mountain lion sighting was also distributed to staff, faculty and students via email. The college is urging the community to remain vigilant when outdoors, and asks that any mountain lion sightings on or near Hancock campuses be reported immediately to the Allan Hancock College District Police Department at 1-805-922-6966, Ext. 3911 for the Santa Maria Campus or (805) 735-3366, Ext. 5911 at the Lompoc Valley Center. Below are some tips from the Department of Fish and Wildlife regarding

– Do not hike alone

– Keep children close to you: Observations of captured wild mountain lions reveal that the animals seem especially drawn to children. Keep children within your sight at all times.

– Do not approach a lion

– Do not run from a lion: Running may stimulate a mountain lion’s instinct to chase. Instead, stand and face the animal. Make eye contact. If there are small children there, pick them up if possible so they don’t panic and run. Although it may be awkward, pick them up without bending over or turning away from the mountain lion. 

– Do not Crouch or bend over

– Throw stones, branches, or whatever you can reach without crouching or turning your back. Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly in a loud voice. 

– Fight back if attacked: Many potential victims have fought back successfully with rocks, sticks, caps, jackets, garden tools and their bare hands. Since a mountain lion usually tries to bite the head or neck, try to remain standing and face the attacking animal.