How to report mountain lion, bear sightings to the California Dept. of Fish & Wildlife

Amid increasing reports of mountain lion and bear sightings across the High Desert over the past week, state officials remind residents that they can report sightings and encounters to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife online.

The Wildlife Incident Reporting System allows those who spot wildlife to report information directly to the agency, allowing officials to better manage the urban wildlife interfaces where people are most likely to encounter large predators.

Through the website apps.wildlife.ca.gov/wir , sightings of mountain lions and black bears, as well as other wildlife, can be reported, along with details about the encounters. Users can specify whether they feel threatened by animals, find animals to be a nuisance on their property or cause damage, or simply report the sighting for statistical purposes.

"The WIR System assigns a designated 'Investigator' based on the geographic location of the wildlife incident reported," according to a CDFW statement. "The investigator may be a department biologist or wildlife officer and will receive general notification by email of an assigned WIR incident. Department staff strive to respond to all WIRs in a timely manner."

Local officials have reported mountain lion sightings over the past week in Hesperia and Apple Valley, as well as bear sightings in the Silverwood Lake Recreation Area.

"Public safety concerns should be reported to law enforcement, and if your wildlife encounter is an emergency call 911," the CDFW said in a statement.

A mountain lion spent a night in a Hesperia shed before being tranquilized and removed back into the wild.

Mountain lions — also known by names including pumas, cougars, panthers and catamounts — can be found across most of the state, officials said. they often hunt deer in urban-wildlife interfaces.

"However, it’s rare to see a mountain lion because they are elusive creatures," the statement said. "If you do see a mountain lion or mountain lion cub, do not approach it or intervene. Remember that adult pumas, when out hunting prey, may leave offspring somewhere safe for up to days at a time."

More information on mountain lions can be found online at wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Mammals/Mountain-Lion , while more information regarding black bears is available at wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Mammals/Black-Bear .

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: How to report mountain lion, bear sightings to the California Dept. of Fish & Wildlife