Shelter-in-Place Issued After Possible Mountain Lion Sighting in Rochester, New York

A series of possible mountain lion sightings in Rochester, New York, sparked significant concern among residents and authorities, leading to a temporary shelter-in-place order. The alert was triggered by a viral social media video showing a large cat, with multiple eyewitnesses, including Curtis Jones, reporting encounters with the animal. Despite extensive efforts including drone searches and investigations by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Seneca Park Zoo, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), officials have been unable to definitively confirm the presence of a mountain lion. The DEC noted the animal in the video could possibly be a cougar, likely an escaped captive rather than a wild native, as mountain lions are not known to have a self-sustaining population in New York. Authorities advised the public to exercise caution, maintain distance, and report sightings immediately, emphasizing that while mountain lions can be dangerous if threatened, attacks on humans are rare. The shelter-in-place was lifted once police could not verify the large cat’s presence, but the investigation remains ongoing.