Video captures mountain lion strolling through San Mateo backyard

A mountain lion that visited a San Mateo backyard overnight was captured on video, police said Saturday.

A resident spotted the big cat about 6:45 a.m. Saturday on a backyard deck in the 4100 block of Alameda de las Pulgas. The animal wasn’t seen after that, police said.

Video shows the mountain lion also paid a visit the night before, about 10 p.m. Friday. The animal never acted aggressive, police said.

Officers responding to the report on Saturday morning searched the area but didn’t see the mountain lion.

While it’s rare for mountain lions to approach humans, the San Mateo Police Department has tips for staying safe that include not feeding deer, which attract the big cats.

Anyone who sees a mountain lion should not approach it, and people should avoid hiking or jogging through wooded areas when mountain lions are most active-dawn, dusk or at night.

Parents are advised to keep a close watch on small children when hiking or traveling in or about wooded areas.

Anyone who encounters a mountain lion should not run, but face the animal, make noise and try to look bigger by waving arms, and throwing rocks or other objects. Small children should be picked up.

For more information about mountain lions go to www.keepmewild.org and https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/.