Mountain lion kills a deer in Belmont: Early Tuesday morning video surveillance catches wildlife attack on resident’s front lawn

It was about 4:45 a.m. March 17 when a mountain lion jumped a running deer and tumbled to the ground on Makropoulos’ lawn. Within 15 minutes the deer was dead and the mountain lion proceeded to eat, until Makropoulos’ small cavapoo dog was let into the backyard, smelled the animals and began barking.

The mountain lion scurried off and left on the other side of the gate was the mauled deer, but it wasn’t until Makropoulos’ wife returned after a yoga class once the sun was out that she saw it lying there.

The couple’s front yard camera captured the brutal attack.

The video shows a mountain lion hiding between a car and a driveway across the street from Makropoulos’ property and then lunging at a deer as it ran out of the bushes. 

While the proximity of the attack was already concerning, the most sobering moment was seeing the mountain lion hide behind his neighbor’s car, Makropoulos said. 

“The neighbor across the street … they have a 1-year-old and a 3-year-old,” Makropoulos said. “That’s where I get freaked out, that’s where your brain goes to dark places.” 

Makropoulos moved into his home with his wife two years ago. In that time, there have been a few coyote sightings captured in their backyard, as the home is at the top of a hill near a canyon, but he’s never seen a mountain lion. 

Mountain lion sightings aren’t infrequent in San Mateo County — other neighbors shared with Makropoulos their own sightings while living in the area — but it wasn’t until it happened in his own front yard that he understood the fear. 

After coming home Wednesday evening, Makropoulos found himself on higher alert than normal after exiting his parked car. 

“My neck has started going up, like should I make some noise just in case?” Makropoulos said. 

San Mateo County is mountain lion habitat, but being reminded of that fact firsthand will keep Makropoulos and his neighbors alert, he said. 

“It’s just, head on a swivel and keep your eyes open,” Makropoulos said. “If there’s children around, everyone needs to be aware. Even adults.” 

Mountain lions are most active form dusk to dawn, and public safety risk is incredibly rare, Krysten Kellum, the regional spokesperson for California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife, said. 

“They don’t like to be around people but on occasion they’ll find their way in populated areas,” Kellum said. “A mountain lion’s favorite food is deer, so we do suggest if there’s a lot of deer on your property, remove vegetation that’s attracting deer. You can install lighting that can deter mountain lions.” 

Residents near natural habitats may also avoid walking alone at night, keep their pets on a leash and their children nearby, Kellum said.  

Any mountain lion sightings should be reported to the state department’s online reporting system. 

“We monitor that, it helps us keep track of the population, respond if we need to, give people the resources and education they might need,” Kellum said. 

Visit apps.wildlife.ca.gov/wir to report any sightings.