Back-to-back mountain lion sightings reported near Isla Vista

We are tracking back-to-back mountain lion sightings at or near UCSB in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of reports in Santa Barbara County within the last week to four.

“That way, the mountain lion went that way,” said Ian Issa and Jack Patnoe, motioning to police.

Issa and Patnoe say they missed coming face to face with a mountain lion at Devereux Lagoon by minutes.

“We’re trying to enjoy our day at the beach but we’re not trying to die today, you know what I mean,” said Patnoe.

Patnoe and Issa did come upon the person who potentially spotted the fourth mountain lion in the county within the last week, as he was talking to police just after 2:00 p.m. Wednesday.

“The cop was like are you sure it’s not a bobcat and he was like no I’ve lived here for 10 years it’s definitely a mountain lion,” said Issa, recounting the conversation he overheard.

Another big cat was reported near UCSB’s Campus Point around 4:30 Tuesday afternoon.

“It’s a remote, remote area of the campus that is not accessible by car,” said Sgt. Bradley Prows, UCSB Police Department.

Officers cleared and searched the area and the university posted signs and emergency alerts were sent out.

“Officers responded to that location, they cleared people out, prevented people from coming into the area. Searched the area to the best of their ability. It’s very rugged terrain, there’s a lot of brush. If there was an animal there, they could go to ground and you would never see them,” said Sgt. Prows.

Jalen Choy says he got a text from UCSB notifying him that there was a mountain lion on campus.

“At first I thought it was a prank. I wouldn’t think there would be mountain lions out here. It was a shock that’s never happened in my four years out here,” said Choy, a UCSB 4th year.

It’s also a novelty for Prows. “I’ve been here almost six years and this is the first one I remember for a mountain lion being spotted on campus,” he said.

Prows says increased patrols haven’t come up with anything but he’s urging people to know what to do if faced with a mountain lion and possibly avoid the area.

“For me, it’s a little strange for a mountain lion to be this far, or this close to the water given the proximity to the foothills and mountains, which is where you would predominantly expect to see a mountain lion,” said Prows.

Officials say if you do come face-to-face with a mountain lion, do not run away as that could trigger a response from the animal. Instead, make yourself as big and loud as possible. Make noise and throw things if need be.

Two other mountain lion sightings were reported at Allan Hancock’s Lompoc campus over the past week.

Fish and Wildlife officials say mountain lion sightings aren’t unheard of, but they are nocturnal animals, so it’s unusual for them to be out during the day.

Experts say when this happens the animals are usually trying to find food or water or they may have been spooked or could be sick.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife says when officers were in Lompoc Tuesday, they noticed a large fenced off area close by with some 100 goats cultivating grass.

The department says it’s very possible the mountain lion identified the goats as prey.