Mountain Lion Spotted In Peninsula Neighborhood, Police Caution

SAN MATEO, CA — San Mateo police on Monday alerted the community to a mountain lion that was spotted in town late Sunday, crossing a neighborhood street.

The animal was spotted at 10:05 p.m. in the 3000 block of Monterey Street, in the area of Alameda de las Pulgas and West Hillsdale Boulevard, according to the San Mateo Police Department.

"The witness reported that the mountain lion never acted predatory or aggressive in anyway and the witness watched it run away," police said. "San Mateo Police Officers conducted a thorough search of the area and were unable to locate the animal."

Police shared the following safety information regarding mountain lions:

While again it would be rare for a mountain lion to approach humans, you can follow a few simple rules to keep you and your family safe:

• 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.
• Avoid hiking or jogging through wooded areas when mountain lions are most active—dawn, dusk, or at night.
• 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 more information about mountain lions click here www.keepmewild.org

— Image via Shutterstock