Tracking Carnivore Sightings
We aim to track mountain lion and bear sightings wherever they occur through social media and community outreach. Check out our Google Sightings Map created and maintained by Marie Summers, Map Manager.
In March 2024, a tragic mountain lion fatality—the worst in 30 years—occurred in El Dorado County, giving rise to the El Dorado County Mountain Lion Project. Focused initially on tracking and understanding resident-mountain lion encounters in El Dorado County, the effort quickly grew to include black bears (Ursus americanus) and became the El Dorado County Carnivore Project.
By 2026, as sightings and community needs expanded across the Sierra Nevada Foothills, we rebranded to Carnivore Project to reflect our broader mission: advancing human-carnivore coexistence through independent, community-driven research and education.
Our goal is to provide transparent data, actionable insights, and strategies for conflict prevention. Carnivore Project is a grassroots, volunteer-run initiative operating as a California public benefit corporation. We are currently seeking 501(c)(3) status in 2026 and operate independently, without funding or ties to official agencies, to support residents and inform evidence-based policy.
Local volunteers
This project is powered entirely by local residents who volunteer their time because we care deeply about safe coexistence with mountain lions and bears. We’re out in the field, meeting with neighbors, analyzing sightings, and pushing for better policies – all unpaid and straight from the heart.
Every dollar you give goes directly to trail cameras, equipment, community programs, and keeping our public data accurate and up-to-date.
Transparency
We created the Carnivore Project to help answer the questions of residents. Like many residents, we were also fed up with what felt like secrecy within official agencies regarding what was going on with our own wildlife. Because of this, we wanted to do better, to be more transparent on what we do and how we do it.
What to do if you encounter a mountain lion
If you see a mountain lion or bear, please use our reporting form to submit your sighting. Alternatively, you can go to our Facebook page, El Dorado County Carnivore Project, and post your sighting or contact us at our hotline 530-444-9697. This is the best option for when you see a lion briefly, such as when it is crossing a road, your property, or anytime the lion has been seen and then left the area.
If you encounter a mountain lion and it is not leaving the area, such as at your house, work, or school, it has been recommended by county officials to contact your local County Sheriff’s Department.
If you encounter a mountain lion, it is not leaving the area, and you feel you have an immediate threat to your health and safety, it has been recommended by county officials to contact 911.
If you’ve experienced the loss of livestock or pets, presumed to be due to a mountain lion or other predator, it is the recommendation of county officials to contact your local County Agriculture Department and the CDFW Conflict Office. They can send an agent to verify the loss and assist you with the next steps.
- El Dorado County Sheriffs Department – 530-621-5655
- El Dorado County Agriculture Department – 530-621-5520
- CDFW Conflict Office – 916-358-2917
About
Following the 2024 Brooks brothers tragedy, the Carnivore Project unites four dedicated locals—a wildlife biologist, a teacher, a rancher, and a Brooks family member—to advance human-carnivore coexistence
“
Residents live here because of their love of wildlife, not despite it.”
Haley Molzahn
Lead Researcher at Carnivore Project