Crime & Safety

Young Mountain Lion Spotted Near Tijeras Creek Golf Course

This time, a juvenile is spotted on the links.

By Martin Henderson

The rash of mountain lion sightings in Rancho Santa Margarita continued on Monday when a cougar was spotted near Tijeras Creek Golf Course. 

According to the blotter of the Orange County Sheriff's Department, the informant called 9-1-1 to report the cat was near the first hole of the golf course, and that it had a long tail.

About 10 minutes later, the informant reported the cat was on the pathway between the resident's backyard and the golf course; the backyard of the home faces Tijeras Creek.

Deputies were unable to make visual contact with the mountain lion. When the resident spoke to deputies, he said the mountain lion appeared to be a juvenile, about 70 pounds, with spotted fur.

It was requested that the Department of Fish and Wildlife be contacted because of the number of recent sightings and their proximity to residences.

The call came Monday, 7:51 p.m., from Regato.


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