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Mountain Lion Spotted In San Francisco 4 Times Recently; First Sighting In Years

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/AP) -- A mountain lion spotted as many as four times in San Francisco last week is believed to have left town, making its way down the coast, a San Francisco Animal Care and Control spokeswoman said

In a joint statement from the Presidio Trust, Animal Care and Control and the National Park Service, people reported sightings starting June 30 in the western Presidio, on Gough Street and most recently on July 3 near Lake Merced.

One of the sightings was captured by a neighborhood security camera. Three others were reported by members of the public and not independently confirmed.

The sightings mark the first time a mountain lion has been spotted in San Francisco in recent years.

Last week a police officer spotted an adult mountain lion just up the hill from Serramonte Mall in Daly City.

Mountain lions are often seen in undeveloped areas of Marin and San Mateo counties, but attacks are rare.

If you come face to face with one, don't run. Instead, make noise and wave your arms to make yourself seem bigger.

Mountain lion sightings should be reported immediately by calling San Francisco Animal Care and Control Emergency Dispatch at (415) 554-9400 or 311, or the Presidio Wildlife Hotline at (415) 561- 4148, or e-mail jyoung@presidiotrust.gov.

TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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