Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park remains closed until further notice due to recent mountain lion activity and ongoing research being conducted in the park.
The park closed out of an abundance of caution on Nov. 4 following two reported mountain lion sightings on Nov. 3. One sighting occurred at approximately 4 p.m. and the other around 5:30 p.m. In both instances, the reporting parties stated the mountain lion was following them but eventually ran off. Video of one incident was shared with OC Parks. It is unknown if the same mountain lion was involved in both sightings.
Mountain lions are seen at OC Parks facilities, including Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park and typically do not prompt park closures. However, given the behavior exhibited in these encounters, a closure was deemed necessary, according to OC Parks officials.
OC Parks is working with wildlife researchers and biologists from UC Davis Wildlife Health Center to gather information about the animal and better understand its behavior, including deploying cameras to monitor activity and looking for evidence of the mountain lion within the park such as recent animal tracks and scat. The recent sightings have also been reported to California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Additional updates on the park status will be made as they become available.
