Lushmeadow neighbors discover mountain lion making its home in creek

There’s a reason mountain lion sightings are so rare.

“They are the introverts of the animal world,” says Beth Pratt, the California regional executive director of the National Wildlife Federation.

Mountain lions certainly are animals that like their solitude and privacy, only spending time around their own kind when they feel the urge to mate. Otherwise, it’s a solitary life for the stealthy animal.

That’s what made it so exciting when, just a few weeks ago, neighbors on a street in Lushmeadows discovered there was a mountain lion which had made its home in a small creek channel several feet below the road.

In late February, a resident of the neighborhood was walking outside and noticed the mountain lion in the creek.

Like any responsible property owner, that individual (who did not wish to be identified for the story) soon let her neighbors know the animal was there.

“It was amazing, but it was a little bit of putting hair up on the back of your neck,” said this resident. “I thought it was interesting it was so close to the road. It really was an experience. It was beautiful.”

For the next several days, those living on the block: Paul Jarvi and wife Sharleyne Jarvi, along with neighbor Gary Hammond, got to call the mountain lion their new neighbor.

They would go for walks and notice the mountain lion resting down in the creek. They kept a safe distance, but were certainly able to observe the animal, and the animal didn’t seem to mind.

They noticed it had been scratched up badly, which may have been a sign of a territorial fight it had with another mountain lion.

Because they had questions about the mountain lion, they contacted Pratt, who is an expert on the animal. Pratt lives in Midpines, but happens to have a major role in the National Wildlife Federation, and is the author of the book “When Mountain Lions Are Neighbors: People and Wildlife Working It Out in California.”

She also has given a TEDx talk about coexisting with wildlife called, “How a Lonely Cougar in Los Angeles Inspired the World,” and is featured in the new documentary, “The Cat that Changed America.”

Simply put, she knows mountain lions quite well.

“That was such a blessing, having Beth nearby with her expertise and knowledge,” Paul Jarvi said.

Pratt — with her passion for mountain lions — was more than happy to go to the area in Lushmeadows to observe the mountain lion and provide any information she could to the group of neighbors.

For Pratt, it was refreshing seeing the neighbors coexist with the mountain lion. So often, the first thought humans have is how to get rid of or kill the animal.

“It’s a testament that these guys were practicing coexistence, that it felt safe here,” she said.

Pratt said it was an excellent example of coexistence. Those in the neighborhood altered their path of walking, and made sure their pets didn’t get into conflict with the mountain lion. They kept tabs on the animal, but made sure to keep safe distances from the mountain lion.

“It’s never a ‘zero risk,’ but clearly this wasn’t looking to be a threat,” Pratt said. “If you see a mountain lion, that is not automatic reason for fear. If you keep a reasonable distance, you should be able to enjoy the sighting.”

Although Mariposa County is no stranger to mountain lions, Pratt did say it was a bit unusual to see one so close to a street, and to see it there for more than just a short period of time. Mountain lions don’t typically stay in one spot for very long.

“I would say hanging this close in proximity to the road is a little unusual,” Pratt said. “(But this particular instance) is mountain lion heaven. They love wash areas like this.”

The group said they know the mountain lion preyed on raccoons and other small critters. The reason it left is likely because the prey source finally started to dwindle.

But Pratt said because of the “corridor” and path of travel which the creek provided, she has a hunch the mountain lion will be back at some point.

“This is probably going to be a regular part of its patrol,” she said, noting the National Wildlife Federation will be donating a few wildlife cameras to the neighborhood in case the animal comes back.

They also weren’t sure whether it was male or female. Males have a black spot of hair four to five inches long near the tail. But it was too difficult to distinguish.

Regardless, it was a beautiful creature, all in the group agreed, and something they don’t plan to ever forget.

“It was really something,” Pratt said.

“I never thought I would see anything so primal and beautiful,” Sharleyne Jarvi said. “It’s something you may never see in your life.”

“We never named it,” Paul Jarvi said.

“Kitty, I suppose,” Hammond said of his name choice.

That’s one big kitty.