A noticeable increase in mountain lion sightings near Sonoma State University over the past few years is beginning to concern students.

Grace Alloway, a senior Business major is worried about what could happen if the mountain lion got too close to people. Alloway said, “Hearing that the mountain lion was so close to campus definitely made me nervous, not just for the well-being of people on campus or families that like to take walks with their small children, but also for the well-being of the mountain lion.”

Nicholas Lerseth, a senior English major, expressed concern about not being able to see the lion at night if it is on campus due to minimal lighting. Lerseths said, “They are predators after all. Very stealthy ones.”

As humans build more infrastructure in our wildlife’s backyard, there’s always the risk that humans and wild-animals will cross paths. Matthew Lizarraga, a senior Bio Major wants people to respect that the land SSU was built on was the lion’s home first. Lizarraga said, “I am not too nervous because we are out in the country so close to wildlife reserves and Taylor mountain!” 

The week prior to the semester’s commencement, two mountain lion sightings occurred in Rohnert Park. A mountain lion was seen walking the Copeland Creek between Country Club Drive and Snyder Lane around 4:30 a.m. on Aug. 18. On Aug. 20, another sighting occurred in the area of Foxtail Golf Course around 10 p.m. 

Authorities were not able to capture the mountain lion but Sonoma State Police Chief Nader Oweis wrote in an email, “They generally traverse back and forth to the nearby mountains through the Copeland Creek.” Oweis continued, “They generally are reported in the early morning hours, because they have a secretive nature. Although we are seeing more reports of them being seen, attacks on people are very rare.”

Aaron Johson, staff member of Rohnert park Public Safety Department said, “If you spot a mountain lion, leave it alone. Give it space and do not try to approach.” 

With the continued increase in temperature our drought is leaving these mountain lions to come down into the creeks. Many juvenile mountain lions branch out from their parents and go claim other grounds. Claudia Luke, SSU Sustainability Program Director expressed in an email, “We need mountain lions to wander. As a top predator, Mountain Lions are a critical species for our wildlands. Areas with Mountain Lions support a greater diversity of species – greater biodiversity.  And, areas with greater biodiversity give humans more of the benefits we rely on, like clean water, clean air, pollinators for our crops, and lower risk of disease.”

In 2021, SSU Police Department reported two on campus sightings of mountain lions. The first mountain lion was seen near the softball field on Juniper Lane on Feb 23. Then on Oct 27, another mountain lion was spotted near the north entrance of SSU near the Green Music Center. Authorities were not able to locate the mountain lion either time. 

Following the second on-campus sighting, SSU issued a school-wide email providing tips to students on what to do if a mountain lion is seen near or on campus. These tips included, “Stay calm, do not approach a lion, do not run from a lion and do not crouch down or bend over.”

If you see a mountain lion, call the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety NON Emergency number(707)-584-2600. If you spot a mountain lion on campus, contact the SSU Police at (707)-664-4444. 

COURTESY // Benjamin Osborn

A mountain lion captured on a wildlife camera at Fairfield Osborn Preserve.