Mountain Lion Spotted Near Laurelwood Park, Police Say

SAN MATEO, CA — A mountain lion was reported to be in a San Mateo resident's backyard this afternoon, according to police. The sighting was reported at about 12:40 p.m. in the 800 block of Viewridge Drive. The rear yard of the residence backs up to Laurelwood Park, where there have been previous mountain lion sightings, San Mateo police said.

"The witness reported that the mountain lion never acted predatory or aggressive in anyway and she watched it wander back into the wooded area of Laurelwood Park," police said in a news release. "The Department of Fish & Game were notified."

Police offered the following advice on how to keep you and your family safe from mountain lions:

• Do not feed deer. It is illegal in California and it will attract mountain lions.
• If you see a mountain lion DO NOT APPROACH IT, especially one that is feeding or with offspring. Most mountain lions will try to avoid confrontation.
• Keep a close watch on small children when hiking or traveling in or about wooded areas.
• If you encounter a mountain lion, do not run; instead, face the animal, make noise and try to look bigger by waving your arms; throw rocks or other objects. Pick up small children.

For information on how to stay safe in areas where mountain lions are present, people can visit www.keepmewild.org.

— Bay City News Service contributed to this report / Image via Shutterstock