An off-duty Peninsula Humane Society officer reported spotting a mountain lion in the 800 block of Portola Road in Portola Valley at about 6 p.m. Monday, according to the San Mateo County Office of Emergency Services.

Sheriff's deputies went looking for the cat but did not find it.

Mountain lions mostly avoid contact with humans, but residents are advised to be cautious and to avoid hiking or jogging at dawn, dusk and at night, when the cats are most active.

Experts recommend that in the event of a mountain lion encounter, face the animal, make noise, throw rocks or other objects and try to appear as large as possible.

More mountain lion safety tips can be found on the state Department of Fish and Game's website at www.keepmewild.org.

— Bay City News Service

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