Mountain Lion Tranquilized In San Mateo [UPDATE]

SAN MATEO, CA — A mountain lion sighted in the backyard of a home in San Mateo on Monday morning was tranquilized in the afternoon, police reported. The sighting was first reported at about 9:35 a.m. in the backyard of a home in the 500 block of Virginia Avenue.

Witnesses reported that the animal did not act in a predatory or aggressive manner, but officers asked people to keep children and pets indoors as a precaution.

Shortly after 11 a.m., officers confirmed they located the mountain lion on Alameda de las Pulgas between Crystal Springs Road and Georgetown Avenue, police said.

Crews from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife arrived at 11:50 a.m. and police said they were "working together to quickly and safely resolve this contact for our community and for the mountain lion."

Police reported at 3:27 p.m. that the mountain lion was safely detained and tranquilized by Fish and Wildlife crews and the earlier request to stay indoors was lifted.

--

UPDATE 3:37 P.M.: San Mateo police say the mountain lion has been caught and residents no longer have to worry about remaining indoors.

"The mountain lion was safely tranquilized by Dept. of Fish and Wildlife and will transported to it's natural habitat," the police agency said. "The request to stay indoors has been lifted. More information to follow."

#BREAKING female 80lb #MountainLion tranquilized around 2:30pm five hours after it was spotted in a residential neighborhood in #SanMateo at Virginia & Alameda De Las Pulgas @CaliforniaDFW helped police. She will be safely relocated. #BayArea pic.twitter.com/E9FaG5ushM
— Ella Sogomonian (@EllaSogomonian) July 16, 2018

UPDATE 11:50 A.M.: San Mateo police say the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is now at the scene.

"We are working together to quickly and safely resolve this contact for our community and for the mountain lion," SMPD officials said. "Thank you for the patience."

ORIGINAL STORY AS FOLLOWS:

SAN MATEO, CA — Officials with the San Mateo Police Department and the state Department of Fish and Wildlife were working to corral a mountain lion in town Monday morning, police report.

The animal was first spotted at about 9:35 a.m. "walking into the backyard of a residence located on the 500 block of Virginia Avenue," police said, adding that the animal "never acted predatory or aggressive."

San Mateo police officers responded to the area to search for the mountain lion and police asked nearby residents to bring kids and pets inside. By 11:15 a.m., officials found it on Alameda De Las Pulgas between Crystal Springs and Georgetown.

"Our officers have a moving perimeter around the animal and it is not behaving aggressively," police said in a news alert. "Department of Fish and Wildlife have been [notified] and are responding to the scene."

Police continue to urge area residents to stay away from the area.

A mountain lion was also spotted in Los Trancos Woods in San Mateo County Friday evening, according to county officials. It's unclear if this is the same animal, but a resident saw what appeared to be a mountain lion on Joaquin Road around 8 p.m., county officials said. Deputies checked the area but didn't find the animal, which wasn't reported to be aggressive or injured.

Generally, mountain lions are calm, quiet and elusive, according to animal experts. They are most commonly found in areas with plentiful prey and adequate cover - conditions that exist in mountain subdivisions, urban fringes and open spaces.

If a person sees a mountain lion, the first rule is not to approach the animal, animal experts say. Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation if people give them a way to escape.

This is a breaking news alert. Refresh for the latest.

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