Living Desert officials advised residents on ThursdayΒ to be vigilant for a possible mountain lion in the area because there were "confirmed wildΒ mountainΒ lionΒ sightings" at the attraction on Dec. 20,Β a representative for the zooΒ said Dec. 26 in a statement.
According to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, there have been more than a dozenΒ documented mountain lion attacks on humansΒ in California since 1986.
Living Desert officials on Thursday citedΒ "scientific evidence thatΒ mountainΒ lionsΒ inhabiting areas close to humans are no real cause for concern and that theseΒ lionsΒ generally attempt to stay away from people," and attributed the info to theΒ Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Jeff Villepique, a state environmental scientist and wildlife biologist, advises residents to check mountain lion info onΒ www.dfg.ca.gov/keepmewild/lion.
The most important thing residents can do is keep pets inside, particularly at night, according toΒ Villepique.Β Keeping pets indoors helps prevent them from attracting a mountain lion to a residential area.
"After confirmed wildΒ mountainΒ lionΒ sightings at The Living Desert last Friday, zoo officials urge surrounding residents to keep themselves and their pets safe," the attraction's statement Thursday said.Β "Although, there have been no reported sightings of theΒ mountainΒ lionΒ since earlyΒ Friday morning, public and pet safety remains a top priority."
The Living Desert is billed asΒ an accredited zoo and gardens, dedicated to conservation and education.Β For more info callΒ (760) 346-5694 or visit www.LivingDesert.org. The Living Desert is at 47900 Portola Ave. inΒ Palm Desert, Calif.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.