{
  "id": "2017-02-01-pepperdine-university-recent-malibu-campus-mountain-lion-sightings",
  "slug": "pepperdine-university-recent-malibu-campus-mountain-lion-sightings-2017-02-01",
  "institution": {
    "name": "Pepperdine University",
    "shortName": "Pepperdine",
    "state": "CA",
    "type": "private-r2",
    "alertSystemName": "Pepperdine Emergency Information",
    "enrollment": 8800
  },
  "incident": {
    "date": "2017-02-01",
    "type": "other",
    "cleryCategory": "advisory",
    "resolution": "resolved",
    "headline": "Recent Malibu Campus Mountain Lion Sightings",
    "headlinePublic": "Recent Malibu Campus Mountain Lion Sightings",
    "summary": "On 2017-02-01, [Pepperdine Emergency Information posted: Recent Malibu Campus Mountain Lion Sightings](https://emergency.pepperdine.edu/2017/02/01/recent-malibu-campus-mountain-lion-sightings/).",
    "outcome": "See notice.",
    "casualties": {
      "killed": 0,
      "injured": 0
    },
    "endDate": "2017-02-02"
  },
  "alerts": [
    {
      "sequence": 1,
      "type": "initial",
      "timestampApprox": "2017-02-01",
      "channel": "website",
      "verbatimText": "There have been nine mountain lion sightings on the Malibu campus in the last six-weeks. University leaders are in communication with biologists at the National Park Service who monitor mountain lion activity in the Santa Monica Mountains. These biologists know the mountain range that serves as the backdrop for our campus also provides a habitat for both the mountain lions and their prey. Pepperdine University officials want the University community to be aware of these incidents and know how to respond. Mountain lions were spotted on the following dates and locations: - December 18, 2016 – 9:49 PM – Rho Parking Lot - December 20, 2016 – 1:46 AM – Seaver Drive Booth - January 15, 2017 – 11:35 PM – Drescher Student Housing Apartments near building W - January 24, 2017 – 7:33 PM – Alumni Park near John Tyler Booth - January 30, 2017 – 10:27 PM – Upper Dorm Road near Towers - January 30, 2017 – 11:55 PM – Light post near the HAWC - January 31, 2017 – 5:48 AM – Near Towers - January 31, 2017 – 11:25 PM – Near the construction site above Stotsenberg Track - February 1, 2017 – 1:38 AM – Near Smothers Theatre According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, mountain lion attacks on humans are very rare. Nevertheless, knowing how to respond is important. - Respect the animal. - Maintain eye contact and move away slowly. - Do NOT run. Running will trigger the mountain lion’s instinct to chase you. - Appear as large, loud, and powerful as possible. - If there are small children or pets present, pick them up immediately. Additionally do NOT leave them unattended outside. - Do not approach the mountain lion, leave space for the cat to escape. - In the unlikely event of an attack, fight back. Do not fall to the ground or roll into the fetal position. - If the incident occurs on or near the Malibu campus please report the incident to the Department of Public Safety at (310) 506-4441.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://emergency.pepperdine.edu/2017/02/01/recent-malibu-campus-mountain-lion-sightings/",
      "sourceDescription": "Pepperdine Emergency Information — Recent Malibu Campus Mountain Lion Sightings",
      "annotations": [
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      ],
      "characterCount": 1914
    },
    {
      "sequence": 2,
      "type": "initial",
      "timestampApprox": "2017-02-02",
      "channel": "website",
      "verbatimText": "Due to the number of recent mountain lion sightings, including two last night near Smothers Theatre and the construction site above Stotsenberg Track, University officials contacted the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and National Parks Service to request assessment of the recent mountain lion behavior on the Malibu campus. While this review is underway: - Do not hike, bike, or jog alone, especially from dusk until dawn when mountain lions are most active. - Remember Public Safety security escorts are available on the Malibu campus 24/7 by calling Public Safety Dispatch at (310) 506-4442. - If you see a mountain lion on or near the Malibu campus, please report the incident to the Department of Public Safety at (310) 506-4441. Additionally, please take the following actions if you encounter a mountain lion on campus: - Respect the animal. - Maintain eye contact and move away slowly. - Do NOT run. Running will trigger the mountain lion’s instinct to chase you. - Appear as large, loud, and powerful as possible. - If there are small children or pets present, pick them up immediately. Do NOT leave them unattended outside. - Do not approach the mountain lion, leave space for the cat to escape. - In the unlikely event of an attack, fight back. Do not fall to the ground or roll into the fetal position.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://emergency.pepperdine.edu/2017/02/01/recent-malibu-campus-mountain-lion-sightings-update/",
      "sourceDescription": "Pepperdine Emergency Information — Recent Malibu Campus Mountain Lion Sightings Update",
      "annotations": [
        "Full body from RSS content:encoded."
      ],
      "characterCount": 1326
    },
    {
      "sequence": 3,
      "type": "initial",
      "timestampApprox": "2017-02-03",
      "channel": "website",
      "verbatimText": "There were two additional, unconfirmed mountain lion sightings last night. - February 1, 2017 – 10:50 PM – Near the Student Health Center - February 1, 2017 – 11:25 PM – On the hillside above Upper Dorm Road Today, University officials met for several hours with a mountain lion expert from the National Parks Service who has studied mountain lion activity in the Santa Monica Mountains since 2002. They discussed all of the recent sightings and toured the locations on campus. The expert expressed with confidence that this is a healthy mountain lion, moving within his territory, and acting normally. He believes the mountain lion will move on soon. The University is continuing to investigate the matter. Please remember: - Do not hike, bike, or jog alone, especially from dusk until dawn when mountain lions are most active. - Remember Public Safety security escorts are available on the Malibu campus 24/7 by calling Public Safety Dispatch at (310) 506-4442. - If you see a mountain lion on or near the Malibu campus, please report the incident to the Department of Public Safety at (310) 506-4441. As a reminder, if you encounter a mountain lion: - Respect the animal. - Maintain eye contact and move away slowly. - Do NOT run. Running will trigger the mountain lion’s instinct to chase you. - Appear as large, loud, and powerful as possible. - If there are small children or pets present, pick them up immediately. Additionally do NOT leave them unattended outside. - Do not approach the mountain lion, leave space for the cat to escape. - In the unlikely event of an attack, fight back. Do not fall to the ground or roll into the fetal position.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://emergency.pepperdine.edu/2017/02/02/recent-malibu-campus-mountain-lion-sightings-update-2/",
      "sourceDescription": "Pepperdine Emergency Information — Recent Malibu Campus Mountain Lion Sightings Update #2",
      "annotations": [
        "Full body from RSS content:encoded."
      ],
      "characterCount": 1653
    }
  ],
  "context": "Pepperdine Emergency Information notice.",
  "keyFindings": [
    "Official post body recovered from RSS."
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "title": "Recent Malibu Campus Mountain Lion Sightings",
      "url": "https://emergency.pepperdine.edu/2017/02/01/recent-malibu-campus-mountain-lion-sightings/",
      "type": "official-archive"
    },
    {
      "title": "Recent Malibu Campus Mountain Lion Sightings Update",
      "url": "https://emergency.pepperdine.edu/2017/02/01/recent-malibu-campus-mountain-lion-sightings-update/",
      "type": "official-archive"
    },
    {
      "title": "Recent Malibu Campus Mountain Lion Sightings Update #2",
      "url": "https://emergency.pepperdine.edu/2017/02/02/recent-malibu-campus-mountain-lion-sightings-update-2/",
      "type": "official-archive"
    }
  ],
  "confidence": "high",
  "tags": [
    "pepperdine"
  ],
  "dateAdded": "2026-07-27",
  "lastUpdated": "2026-08-03",
  "addedBy": "ingestion",
  "annotations": [
    "Consolidated from 2017-02-02-pepperdine-university-recent-malibu-campus-mountain-lion-sightings-update: high-similarity dual filing (jacc 0.89); adopted 2.",
    "Consolidated from 2017-02-03-pepperdine-university-recent-malibu-campus-mountain-lion-sightings-update-2: multi-day mountain lion sightings; dual filing unwound."
  ]
}