Mountain Lion Scare In PG County (ICYMI)

Editor's note: This article was originally posted earlier this week.

UPDATE: Officials now believe that a report of a mountain lion may have actually been a fox or a coyote, according to Fox 5.

Original story:

GREENBELT, MD -- Authorities are alerting the public to a possible mountain lion that was spotted in a Greenbelt park, according to a report.

Fox 5 reports that the U.S. Park Police learned of a sighting of a mountain lion at Greenbelt Park.

Authorities are urging people to avoid the park as they investigate. People were seen in the area armed with long guns, according to the report.

WJZ reports that a woman saw the animal along a path around 3 p.m., and it was tall enough to come up to her waist.

Anyone who encounters a mountain lion should stop and not run. Instead, maintain eye contact and try to appear larger, experts advise.

(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)