Earlier this month, officials at the National Park Service, whose scientists track P-22 and other cougars in the Santa Monica Mountains, said the 12-year-old cat was seen “the furthest south he’d ever ventured since living in Griffith Park.”Silver Lake Boulevard on March 8 before making his way to Berkeley Circle — about a half-mile west of where Genzon spotted the puma early Saturday — and eventually retreating to Griffith Park.
Whatever route the lion took before passing by Genzon’s home is unclear. National Park Service officials could not be reached for comment Saturday. Tim Daly, a spokesman for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, said his agency is notified only if there’s a public safety threat or incident. “If it’s just a sighting, we aren’t typically notified,” Daly said.
Genzon recalled feeling a “weird” sensation as he witnessed the lion mere steps from his home: “It was hard to focus — it’s an animal that can kill me — but I wasn’t afraid.”“The mountain lion noticed the car, took a defensive crouch and then just kept moving,” Genzon said. After heading north on Benton Way, the cat slunk up a neighbor’s driveway and vanished into some bushes, he said.
“I love that I saw it. It’s pretty amazing,” Genzon said, adding: “Now when I step outside, I’m going to look both ways.”