What to do if you encounter a bobcat in San Diego

A bobcat has been spotted near the Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve. The close encounter with the animal was filmed.

SAN DIEGO — A bobcat has been spotted near the Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve. A viewer sent CBS 8 video of a close encounter with the animal in their own backyard.

Danny Jackson was checking the milkweed he planted to attract butterflies to his yard when he saw the bobcat.

“He and I were making eye contact and I had my phone in my pocket, so I wanted to make sure I documented that because it was very interesting to me,” he said.

What to do if you encounter a bobcat in San Diego

They had a very rare close encounter, but no one was hurt. He believes the cat lives in the nearby Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve.

“This bobcat was a juvenile and it probably had its own hunting territory and with all the development going on near the preserve, these animals will come into the neighborhood,” Jackson said.

Wildlife experts say bobcats are elusive animals and they stay away from humans. In this case, the bobcat was probably looking for food. It’s not common to encounter them, but if you do, here’s what you need to know.

What to do if you encounter a bobcat

“You want to slowly move away from most predators, just keep an eye out for them, but don’t run, like we always say,” said Angela Hernandez-Cusick, wildlife rehabilitation supervisor at San Diego Humane Society.

Making noise will also scare them away. Bobcats pose a threat to cats and small dogs and have even been known to kill these animals. They will not attack people unless provoked. Bobcats are a little larger than a house cat and have brown stripes. Meanwhile, mountain lions are large cats and can weigh up to 170 pounds.

Jackson said he enjoys having a home near the preserve and being with the animals that live there.

“I believe in protecting wildlife. I believe there are areas that need to be developed and areas that you shouldn’t develop. Rather than us humans moving back to where they came from, we need to be “be careful and protect these reserves as much as we can,” he said.

Learn more from the San Diego Humane Society about wildlife here.

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