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Lincoln Mountain Lion Sighting Has Residents Staying Indoors

LINCOLN (CBS13) — A mountain lion about the size of a German shepherd was seen lurking around in Lincoln Wednesday afternoon.

Somewhere in Auburn Ravine Park, a creature is prowling, causing police to search for it before it can do any harm.

"It was unusual for someone to see him actually," said Lincoln Police Sgt. David Ibarra.

It has many staying away from the area, locking their doors and keeping their children and animals inside.

"They can leap down on you," said Lincoln resident David Gupton.

So far only two people can say they've seen it. Leon Zaragoza was the first.

"I thought it might've been a cat, and then I went and got my binoculars and it was a mountain lion," he said.

Right across from his home, he says he saw the cat casually walking under a tree. He had no doubt it was a mountain lion because of the long tail and the animal's size.

A Lincoln Police officer who came out to the park soon after confirmed Leon's suspicion.

Police quickly put up warning signs around the park and sent extra patrols to warn parkgoers to enter at their own risk.

"They should know that mountain lions are hunting in areas like this," Ibarra said.

Mountain lions don't generally attack people. Police say unless it is being aggressive, they won't take any drastic measures.

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