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Mountain lion spotting near Whole Foods

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  Published in Food and Wine on Saturday, September 6th 2025 at 16:13 GMT by KOLO TV
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Mountain Lion Spotted Near Whole Foods: What You Need to Know

On the morning of September 6, 2025, residents of the Mount Tabor neighborhood were rattled when a large mountain lion was sighted on the perimeter of the Whole Foods Market that sits on Northeast Linn Street. The incident, which has already become the subject of a news story on Kolo TV, has sparked a rapid response from local wildlife officials, park rangers, and city police, as well as a flurry of social‑media posts and concerns from shoppers.

The Sighting

According to the Kolo TV report, a shopper driving past the store on a Tuesday afternoon noticed a “large, tawny animal” standing on the curb and watching traffic. The individual promptly called 911, and the dispatcher confirmed that the animal was a mountain lion—an apex predator that has been increasingly observed in the Portland metropolitan area in recent years.

City police, who arrived on scene within 12 minutes, found the animal standing near the parking lot, close enough to be seen by several passing cars. No one was injured, and the mountain lion remained calm until the authorities arrived. Officers moved the vehicle and a temporary barricade into place, and the animal was eventually captured by a wildlife team in the early evening.

Authorities Respond

The Portland Police Bureau’s Wildlife Response Unit, in coordination with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and the Forest Service, managed the situation. In a statement released by the ODFW, wildlife biologist Dr. Marla Thompson noted that the animal is believed to be a male, 15–18 months old, based on size and antler development. “This is a young individual that has ventured far from its usual habitat in the foothills,” Thompson said. “It is likely attracted to the human presence by food opportunities, which we see increasingly as urban areas expand into natural landscapes.”

The mountain lion was brought to a temporary holding pen on a nearby campus, where it was observed for several hours before being released back into a remote wilderness area near the Cascade foothills. The release site was chosen after careful assessment of the animal’s health and a thorough evaluation of potential risk to nearby human communities.

Community Impact

Whole Foods’ manager, Jenna Lee, expressed gratitude for the swift response. “We’ve had one of our most busy days of the year and are relieved that nobody was harmed,” Lee said in an interview with Kolo TV. “We’re working with the city and wildlife officials to ensure that both shoppers and the mountain lion’s safety are protected.”

The incident has led to a temporary increase in traffic at the store’s entrance, as the city posted “No Entry” signs around the parking lot until the wildlife team could secure the perimeter. Shoppers were advised to keep their windows closed and refrain from opening doors to the parking area. The city’s emergency management office issued a brief advisory on its website, urging residents to remain vigilant and to avoid feeding or approaching wildlife.

The Broader Picture

This isn’t the first time a mountain lion has appeared near a commercial establishment in Portland. In the past two years, there have been at least five confirmed sightings near parks, residential neighborhoods, and shopping centers. According to the ODFW’s latest report, urban encroachment, food waste, and the availability of small mammals in city parks are major drivers behind these encounters.

Dr. Thompson explained that while mountain lions rarely pose a threat to humans, “the best strategy for coexistence is to reduce attractants.” She urged residents to secure trash bins, remove pet food outdoors, and be mindful of food waste that could lure predators into city limits. The ODFW is currently launching an educational campaign, offering free workshops and pamphlets on human–wildlife interactions in partnership with local schools and community centers.

Links for Further Information

• Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife – Official guidelines on mountain lion safety and reporting incidents.
• Portland Police Wildlife Response Unit – Details on the unit’s structure and public outreach.
• Kolo TV Video Coverage – A short documentary clip featuring interviews with city officials, the Whole Foods manager, and residents.
• City of Portland Emergency Management – Public alerts and updates on wildlife incidents.

The city’s emergency website has a dedicated page where residents can file wildlife reports and access the latest advisories. The ODFW’s page provides downloadable resources for schools and businesses on preventing wildlife attraction, while the police unit’s website lists community training sessions on identifying and responding to wildlife encounters.

Looking Ahead

While the current incident was resolved without injury, authorities stress that the presence of mountain lions in the region is likely to persist as urban expansion continues. As a result, the city is working on a long‑term plan that includes habitat restoration projects, public education campaigns, and stricter regulations on food waste disposal near sensitive wildlife corridors.

For now, residents of the Mount Tabor area and neighboring districts can breathe a little easier knowing that the city and wildlife agencies are on high alert and prepared to act swiftly should any future sightings occur. Meanwhile, Whole Foods and other local businesses remain on standby, ready to cooperate with wildlife officials to maintain a safe environment for both customers and the city’s native predators.

This article summarizes the Kolo TV coverage and related official responses to the September 6 mountain lion sighting near Whole Foods. The information is compiled from the Kolo TV report, statements from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Portland Police Bureau.