San Mateo residents spot mountain lion

SAN MATEO, Calif. -- A mountain lion was spotted by residents and officers in San Mateo early this morning but went back into the wilderness without incident, police said.

Officers responded just after midnight to a report of the mountain lion in the area of Clearview Way and Creekridge Court, located south of West Hillsdale Boulevard near the College of San Mateo, according to police.

Within minutes, officers quickly located the animal wandering through the neighborhood and a precautionary phone alert was issued to neighbors via the reverse 911 system, police said. The state Department of Fish hand Wildlife was also notified of the sighting.

The mountain lion did not act aggressively while officers were on scene and eventually wandered away into a wooded ravine off Creekridge Court, according to police.

Police advise anyone who encounters a mountain lion to not approach it, especially if the animal is feeding or with offspring. Residents should avoid hiking or jogging through wooded areas during dawn, dusk or at night, when mountain lions are most active.

More information about the animals can be found at www.keepmewild.org or www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/lion.