Mountain Lion Spotted This Week in Woodside

The following is an announcement from the county of San Mateo:

A mountain lion was seen by a member of the public in the 200 block of Olive Hill Lane in the Town of Woodside. The animal was seen at approximately 0430 am on Sunday July 10.

A Sheriff's Deputy responded to the location, spoke to the witness who saw the animal and determined the animal seen was in fact a mountain lion. The animal was not aggressive, and upon being noticed ran away. An area check was conducted with negative results.

Residents who live in the area and/or live adjacent rural areas are reminded to keep their domesticated pets indoors during dawn, dusk and evening hours - please see below for important advice.

Use caution. Here are some important safety tips for you to remember regarding mountain lions. While 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.
• Keep all pets and pet food INDOORS at night. Even the largest domesticated dogs and cats can be prey to a mountain lion.

For more information about mountain lions http://www.keepmewild.orgwww.keepmewild.org.

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(Image via Shutterstock)