Mountain Lion Caught on Camera in Crystal Falls, CA! [November 2025] (2025)

Bold warning: a mountain lion is actively roaming in the Upper Crystal Falls area near Phoenix Lake in Tuolumne County, and neighbors should stay alert. A homeowner captured clear footage of a large cat on a security camera this morning, November 2, 2025, as it crossed the driveway and disappeared back into the surrounding woods. The property owner, who requested anonymity, asked Central Sierra Broadcasting to inform residents about the potential danger.

This sighting follows another cougar report in the Phoenix Lake area—specifically the 21000 block of Phoenix Lake Road near Fern Lane—from October this year. In the new clip, the cougar wanders through a backyard, moving past a tree, a lawn chair, and a fire pit. It isn’t clear whether this is a separate animal or the same cougar moving about the neighborhood. Either way, families should supervise children and keep pets indoors or on a leash when outside.

Online: Use the CDFW Wildlife Incident Reporting system to share details such as location, date, time, and any photos or videos.
By phone:
- For general questions or non-emergency concerns, contact your regional CDFW office.
- For suspected poaching or pollution, call the CDFW Law Enforcement CalTIP hotline (Californians Turn In Poachers and Polluters).
If a mountain lion has preyed on livestock or pets, contact CDFW to verify the incident and receive guidance on nonlethal prevention measures or, if necessary, a depredation permit.

When to call 911:

If there is an immediate threat to human life or safety.
If a mountain lion attacks a person.