Two Rohnert Park schools lock down after mountain lion sighting

Police in Rohnert Park are keeping an eye out for a mountain lion spotted Monday morning near walking trails and locked down two schools as a precaution.

The animal is believed to be a female with a tracking device, according to the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety, which released photos of the big cat.

The mountain lion was spotted in the area of the Five Creek and Crane Creek trails, just east of Eagle Park and Evergreen Elementary School, police said about 8 a.m.

Evergreen Elementary and Lawrence Jones Middle schools are locked down, police said.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife have been called and are expected to arrive shortly, police said shortly before 10 a.m.

Rohnert Park police said:

“We ask the public to avoid the area, as we would like the mountain lion to move back to her home on her own.”