Big Kitty in the City: Young Mountain Lion Spotted in San Francisco's Pacific Heights Neighborhood

San Francisco, CA - January 27, 2026 - Authorities are monitoring a rare urban wildlife incident after a young mountain lion was captured on security camera footage prowling streets in the upscale Pacific Heights neighborhood late Sunday night, January 25, 2026.

San Francisco Animal Care and Control (SFACC) confirmed the sighting near Lafayette Park, located near Gough and Sacramento streets. The animal, estimated to be about one year old and described as a subadult, appeared in video footage shared publicly by local media and the San Francisco Chronicle.Experts believe the mountain lion likely became disoriented while dispersing from its natural habitat - most probably the nearby Santa Cruz Mountains - and wandered into the city.

Young Mountain Lion Spotted in San Francisco's Pacific Heights Neighborhood

Officials stated it is "confused" and expected to eventually head south out of San Francisco on its own. The animal was reportedly spotted again in the area on Monday, January 26, including a second sighting Monday night near Octavia Street and Pacific Avenue, according to an AlertSF notification from the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management.In response, park rangers, Animal Care and Control officers, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife staff responded to Lafayette Park on Monday.

Signs were posted at park entrances warning visitors of the potential presence of the mountain lion, and personnel informed people entering the park in person. The public has been urged to exercise caution in the area.SFACC provided the following safety guidance if a mountain lion is encountered:Do not approach the animal.

Give it a wide berth and slowly back away. Do not run.

If with children, pick them up immediately. Keep dogs on a leash.

If the mountain lion approaches, make yourself appear large, shout loudly, and throw objects if necessary.

The video may be seen on X at: https://x.com/EricaJSandberg/status/2016017732735762695?s=20

Anyone who spots the mountain lion is asked to call San Francisco Animal Care and Control immediately at (415) 554-9400 rather than approaching the animal.Mountain lion sightings in urban San Francisco remain uncommon, with fewer than 10 confirmed cases documented since 2000, typically involving young animals dispersing due to habitat or prey pressures in surrounding wild areas.

No injuries or attacks have been reported in connection with this sighting, and officials continue to monitor the situation in consultation with wildlife experts.