The Region - News from Dec. 30, 1986

A visitor from Indiana spotted a mountain lion in Orange County’s O’Neill Regional Park, prompting county officials to keep the park closed until Friday. The park, near Mission Viejo, had been evacuated and closed last Friday after several sets of cougar tracks were found in and near the picnic area. The sighting was made by Donna Thompson, one of several campers evacuated from the park last Friday, said county parks spokesman Tim Miller. “She had returned to the park to get her camping trailer,” he said. “She saw what she described as a large brown animal with a long tail near the concession stand in the picnic area, which is only about 100 yards from the main entrance gate.” Park rangers and wardens from the state Department of Fish and Game examined the site and confirmed her report. Friday also is the day Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park, scene of two mountain lion attacks on children this year, is to reopen.