Mountain Lion Sighting Confirmed In San Mateo

SAN MATEO, CA — A mountain lion was photographed Friday morning in San Mateo, marking the second sighting reported in the county this week.

In an alert posted a few minutes before 8:45 a.m., the San Mateo Police Department shared a photo of the wild animal heading down a neighborhood street in the area of Vanessa Drive and South Grant Street.

The department sent officers to the scene and advised neighbors to stay inside and contact police if they saw the creature.

Friday's sighting follows a mountain lion reported Monday near a Menlo Park golf course, along with several others confirmed around populated Bay Area communities since the beginning of this year, including in Petaluma, San Jose, Cotati, and Yountville. A young boy was hospitalized in January after being attacked by a mountain lion a few miles south of Half Moon Bay.

Residents can report wild animal sightings to the police or via the state Department of Fish and Wildlife's online portal.