| Arizona
Game and Fish Department/Coronado National
Forest Summary of lion sightings and incidents |
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Mountain Lion
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In
and In Close Proximity to Sabino Canyon
March
23, 2004 - resident on Baryte
(near Harrison/Snyder) reports a lion in her driveway.
She is a neighbor of the resident who reported the
lion sighting in the neighborhood on March 8, 2004.
March 20, 22, and 23,
2004 - Resident reports seeing
mountain lion each morning. Foothills Clusters residential
area, Guthrie Mountain Place.
March 19, 2004 -
Report of a lion heading west at the junction of Wilmot
and Paseo Otono toward a pump station in the area.
March 18, 2004 -
At 1 p.m., AGFD received a report of a mountain lion
seen at the "commons area" (cafeteria) at Esperero
Middle School on North Sabino Canyon Road, across the
street from the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area. Two
cafeteria staff members reportedly saw the cat. Both
gave very good descriptions of a mountain lion. They
saw the cat at a distance of <25 yards. They first
saw the cat when one of them was walking to the dumpster.
That worker went back into the cafeteria and alerted
another worker who came out to see for herself. Initially,
the cat remained still and stared at them. It then
walked off to the wash at the west end of the school
grounds. At approximately 5:00 PM, an AGFD officer
searching for sign at the Esperero Middle School where
two teachers reported the lion, spotted a large mountain
lion track imprinted into a soft muddy portion of the
wash. The track was partially obscured by grass species
and was the only semi-wet area in the wash. A complete
investigation of the entire campus produced large numbers
of javelina tracks throughout the entire area and a
partial set of possible lion tracks located on the
southwest corner of the property. The officer determined
that a lion had indeed entered the area as well as
vast numbers of javelina, quail, and a deer.
March 14 and 17, 2004 -
AGFD received a report of lion sightings on E. Walnut
Drive on both Wednesday 3-17-04 and on Sunday 3-14-04.
Both sightings occurred between 3-5PM. The reporting
party has a pond in their backyard that is near a wash.
The lion was in their yard by the pond. There was no
encounter with people; they just called to advise of
a sighting. They got a very good look at it and sure
it was a lion.
March 11, 2004 - Tucson, Region V Alleged mountain
lion seen March 10, 2004 at 8:00 AM heading toward a barn between Tanque Verde
and Cloud west of Bear Canyon
March 10, 2004 - Tucson
Mountain lion in backyard south of Sunrise and Sabino Canyon Roads
March 9, 2004 - Fresh
tracks observed by Sabino Canyon tram operator at bridge six across Sabino Canyon
Road. Tracks apparently digitally photographed by a visitor. Need to find contact
info for the visitor. Tram driver was very confident in the identification.
March 6, 2004 - Homeowner
on Villa Noriega called while observing a lion shaded up in her yard. From the
description the lion was in the 1 and ½ year age class. Still had remnant spotting
on the forelegs. I carefully interviewed this person to ensure that a long tail
was observed.
March 5, 2004 - Report
from homeowner on Siesta, south of Sabino Canyon Ranger Station. When rains ceased,
homeowner discovered tracks in the yard beneath the children's tetherball pole.
Homeowner made plaster casts and gave them to a FS employee to deliver to the
District office. Tracks appear to be average size measuring 3.25 inches wide
and 3.25 inches long. One cast is a full track, the other is a partial print
of just the toes. Tracks were determined to those of large dog.
February 28, 2004 - Report
from two hikers in the canyon, one a Coronado NF employee. Late afternoon, lion
seen walking within 30 feet of Sabino Canyon tram road along the top of a cliff
ledge. Reporting party had seen cougars in zoo settings previously.
February 15, 2004 - Call
received of an observation of two mountain lions along the Sabino Canyon road
at 0930. Lions were walking within 30 yards of the road. Canyon was very busy
on that day. Had Shane Lymann's dogs on the scent within 2 hours, dogs unable
to follow scent due to heavy human traffic in the area. Backtrack took us up
Rattlesnake canyon where we found a third track of a larger single lion. (at
the same time, A lion was observed off-forest loafing in the front yard of a
home near Bear Canyon and Snyder.. ..this has lead me to conclude that four lions
use the area).
February 15, 2004 - Calle
Primula near Snyder and Bear Canyon Road. The lion has been seen repeatedly in
the neighborhood the reporting individual and her neighbor. Lion loafing in front
yard of neighbor during the morning. This occurred on the same day and at the
same time that two lions were observed within 20 yards of the Sabino Canyon Tram
road, indicating that three lions are using the Sabino Canyon area.
February 3, 2004 - Lion
loafing in Rattlesnake Wash east of the Tram road. Lion sat up to watch a group
of people walk through the small parking lot near the rest-room less than 10
yard away. Tracks revealed that it spent time under the box culvert at the Rattlesnake
trail crossing.
February 2, 2004 - Tucson,
Region V Mountain lion observed North of River Road between Campbell and Alvernon.
Several sightings in neighborhood. Lion shows no fear of humans, neighbors afraid
to go outside.
January 20, 2004 - Lion
crossed tram road from east to west at 1445 between admin road and the place
where the median starts. Report did not get to me until 1600. Others saw this
lion near Cactus picnic ground around the same time.
January 20, 2004 - Tucson,
Region V Mountain lion sighted crossing road ¼ mile from hikers near truck yard
on Sabino Canyon Road in Sabino Canyon Recreation Area between 2:35 and 2:40
pm. Probably same as above.
January 19, 2004 - Lion
reported to be on the Ventana Golf Course seen by many golfers. Employee of the
Club called into report it.
January 13, 2004 - Lion
seen leaving the road between stops 5 and 6. Unconcerned with human presence.
January 13, 2004 - Tucson, Region V Mountain lion frequenting
residential yard NE of Swan and River. Appears unafraid of residents, sighting
credible.
January 8, 2004 - Woman
walking with her dog on Sabino Canyon Road NE of Snyder. A lion behind a bush
less than 5 yards away growled at her. Scared, she jumped into traffic, a swerving
car sounded its horn which caused the lion to flee.
January 7, 2004 - Lion
seen walking down to the Anderson dam area by the tinajas. Observers saw the
lion approach the tinajas. People were recreating in along the stream within
20 yards of the lion. People were unaware of the lion.
January 2, 2004 - A pair
of lions crossed the Phone Line trail within 20 yards of two hikers. Lions headed
down to the creek area.
November 25, 2003 - Lion
reported by jogger at the junction of the Bear Cn. Trail and the tram road. Jogger
claimed that the cat "growled" at her. Subsequent follow-up by FS and Game and
Fish failed to locate a lion. A bobcat was seen in the area.
November 25, 2003 - A
second jogger reported seeing the lion near the second toilet on the tram road
leading to the turnaround below the Overlook. Lion was said to have a small mammal
in its mouth and ran away. The jogger described the cat as "larger than a German
Sheppard with a two foot long tail". Sighting was followed by AGFD and FS to
no avail.
November 22, 2003 - Lion
reported by member of Sheriffs Posse 0.3 miles above the Sabino Dam on the Creek
Trail. AGFD responded, but was unable to locate the lion. Due to confusion with
myriad of "lion sightings", AGFD got to the site at least 1.5 hours after the
sighting. Call went through AGFD Radio Room.
November 17, 2003 - Unconfirmed
lion lunged across Sabino Canyon road from the Esperero Middle School to FS System
lands at about 1330. The lion came very close to a car, which was forced to stop.
Incident witnessed by a PLIA employee. Follow-up search failed to locate footprints.
November 15, 2003 - Confirmed
Mountain lion heard by a FS employee in the front yard of a friends house "two
streets west of Esperero Middle School" in the early hours of morning. Lion "catterwalled".
November 15, 2003 - Unconfirmed
firsthand report of a lion approaching public at Camp Lawton Boy Scout facility
on Organization Ridge. Lion "followed" people into the woods when they left their
campfire to get marshmallow sticks. Person who reported the observation saw the
lion in full light of a flashlight.
November 8, 2003 - Public
reported lion encounter to Sheriff. Encounter occurred at approximately 1630
at the dam in lower Sabino Canyon. Public was hiking, had crossed the disused
bridge below the dam and was heading to the lake area. Lion was sitting on the
rock wall near the trailhead. Lion merely stared at her, did not flee allowed
her to pass within 40ft of it. Friends that were to meet her there had the same
experience. FS did not receive the report until Wed. 12th.
October 30, 2003 - Tucson,
Region V Mountain lion seen last week in Agua Caliente area.
October 23, 2003 - Tucson,
Region V Seeing mountain lions and bobcats in backyard. 4" prints. East of Sabino
Canyon Recreation Area.
October 1, 2003 - Tucson,
Region V Mountain lion seen several times during day this week in neighborhood.
Getting bolder. Bear Canyon and Snyder
September 23, 2003 -
Tucson, Region V Mountain lion seen at approximately 6 PM. Young 70 pound animal
described accurately by reporting party. Lion stared at him for about 30 seconds
then jumped the fence and left the area. Cats missing from neighborhood. Near
49er's Country Club.
September 11, 2003 -
Man was stalked by a lion along River Road between Tenuri and Sabino Canyon Road.
Cat was noticed when it had moved within 30 ft of the person. Cat continued to
follow the man all the way to Sabino Canyon road where it "screeched" twice.
Man was an experienced hunter and saw the cat in full view of headlights of passing
truck. Reported incident to "police".
September 2003 - Second
hand report of a woman jogging on Territorial, south of Basha's in the evening.
Woman was passed by a neighbor in a car who waved. Car drove a short way. Stopped,
turned around, open the door and neighbor insisted that the jogger enter the
car since there was a mountain lion following jogger.
September 2003 - Second
hand report - Man living at Snyder and Bear Canyon heard disturbance in back
yard. Ran out to see what was up. Saw lion jump out of yard over fence. Found
his pet dog dead in back yard. Reported to Sheriff.
June 17, 2003 - Tucson,
Region V Wildlife Services agent ran hounds through foothills of Santa Catalina
Mountains in response to numerous previous calls in Catalina Foothill Clusters
neighborhood
May 16, 2003 - Mount
Lemon, Sabino Canyon, Palisades trail, Mud Springs Three mountain lion sightings
in two days
Mid May 2003 - two reports
(not recorded on the ledger) of a lion, one at the dam, one on the Phone Line
trail. Both observers reported that the cat was unconcerned with the presence
of humans.
Monsoon 2003 - first
bridge at lower bear. 2100 on the night of a large flood event. Cat seen by FS
employees standing by water. Heard during July a couple of times. |
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