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LOS GATOS — Police on Tuesday warned people to steer clear of Los Gatos Creek after a mountain lion was spotted near the waterway.

A resident called the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department after spotting the big cat on the west side of the creek, north of Charter Oaks Circle. Officers arrived to find the beast sitting inside a large culvert on the east embankment. It did not appear to be in any distress.

Officers kept an eye on the mountain lion for about an hour. It was last seen running east inside the culvert pipe, which has numerous outlets, police said.

Barricades and mountain lion sighting advisories have been placed around the Los Gatos Creek Trail, which was already closed due to damage between Charter Oaks Circle and Knowles Drive.

Police are working with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to ensure the area remains safe. For now, police are advising people to avoid the creek and to call 911 if there is an emergency.

Information about what to do in the event of an encounter with a mountain lion is available at www.wildlife.ca.gov/keep-me-wild/lion.

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