With no new sightings of a mountain lion first seen in Des Moines early Thursday morning, officials are still hoping the cat will find — or already has found — a safe way out the city.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources on Thursday said it had a general idea of the cat's location and planned to give it space to leave the city on its own. A department spokesperson on Friday morning confirmed there were still no new sightings.

"With luck, this animal would make his move and leave Des Moines (on Thursday night)," said Vince Evelsizer, furbearer biologist with the Iowa DNR. "If he can find his way out."

Evelsizer said the DNR confirmed the big cat captured on video in a neighborhood near 31st Street and Interstate Highway 235 early Thursday morning was a mountain lion. The DNR strategized with local police on how to handle the situation.

Evelsizer said the mountain lion later moved into a more sparsely populated area where it was less of a threat and seemed to be trying to avoid people and giving itself space.

The animals typically travel in the dark and can move 10-15 miles a night in open country, he said.

Evelsizer would not specify where the mountain lion was but said if safety issues arise, authorities planned to take additional actions, including lethal force.

► Iowa, other Midwest states see a resurgence of predator animals such as bears, bobcats and wolves

►Iowa teen kills sixth mountain lion in state history on a deer hunt near Akron

► More:5 things to do if you're a mountain lion in Des Moines

Police said Thursday morning that they have also been working with the Animal Rescue League and the Blank Park Zoo on their plans.

Evelsizer said mountain lion sightings are relatively uncommon in Iowa, which doesn’t have a breeding population. But the state does get the “occasional visitor” from western states like Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming.

“It’s even more uncommon for one to end up in the city limits of a place like Des Moines,” he said.

In the past 10 years, the Iowa DNR has identified 15 different mountain lions in the state.

Evelsizer said he was not sure what drew this particular mountain lion to Des Moines, but it might be traveling eastward and trying to pass through the city.

“It’s probably trying to avoid people and probably wants to get out of town, and so we’re going to work with a course of action to solve the issue,” he said.

Police asked the public to exercise an abundance of caution with children and animals in the area of the sighting.

Anyone who believes that they see, or have seen, a similar animal in this area is asked to call 911.

The Iowa DNR offers the following tips for anyone who sees a mountain lion:

Don't run. That could stimulate the mountain lion to chase you.

Make yourself look large by standing tall, puffing up and lifting your coat over your shoulders.

Take control of the situation by screaming loudly, throw objects.

Gather children close to you and slowly back away while keeping an eye on the animal.

If attacked, fight back vigorously with sharp objects and poke the eyes of the animal.

Register reporter Shelby Fleig contributed reporting.