By Dean Maddox | Public Safety & Crime Reporter

A mountain lion has been sighted near Miner’s Ravine Trail in Roseville, a spot that cuts through the heart of town and is heavily used by families, joggers, and pet owners. According to city officials, the sighting occurred overnight between July 15–16 near East Street. It’s not clear if it’s the same mountain lion seen in previous sightings last fall and earlier this year — or if there are multiple.

For now, the city says it has no plans to relocate or remove the animal. Because there has not yet been an attack, no action will be taken, per California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife policy.

But residents have reason to be concerned.

Mountain lions are large predators with the strength and instinct to kill. Their teeth and claws are designed for that very purpose. While rare, attacks on people — including children — have happened before. Pets and livestock are far more common targets, and a single mountain lion can take down a deer every week.

State officials may recommend things like “make yourself appear large” or “fight back” in case of an encounter, but let’s be honest — if a 150-pound apex predator is coming for you, the odds aren’t in your favor.

This trail is not out in the foothills. It’s in town — surrounded by neighborhoods, schools, and parks. The idea that a mountain lion is prowling through a city greenbelt should be raising serious alarm bells. And yet, due to California law, this predator is fully protected. There is no state program to control the growing mountain lion population.

It wasn’t always like this. Decades ago, California had a bounty system to manage mountain lion numbers. That changed in 1990 when voters passed Proposition 117, permanently banning sport hunting of the species and classifying them as a “specially protected mammal.” Since then, the population has exploded, with current estimates ranging from 4,000 to 6,000 statewide.

As one recent article put it bluntly: “If every trail cam you set up is picking up mountain lions, it’s clear that action is needed.” States like Utah, Idaho, and Colorado still allow regulated mountain lion hunting — and as a result, those animals stay elusive, fearful of human areas. In California, they’re getting bolder by the year.

Roseville residents are encouraged to report sightings to Placer County Agriculture at (530) 889-7372 or call 911 if a threat is present.

But in the bigger picture, some are asking a tougher question: how many more near-misses will it take before California reconsiders its stance on mountain lion protection?