A mountain lion has twice been seen this week in the meadow area between Black Bart Avenue and Al Tahoe Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe.

“In both instances, the mountain lion appeared to be calm and did not exhibit any aggressive behavior,” Lt. Robert Gerat with El Dorado County Animal Services said in a statement.

The first sighting was April 16 at approximately 2pm when an individual saw the mountain lion walking across the meadow from a South Tahoe Public Utility District building toward Lake Tahoe Community College. The second sighting was reported in the meadow April 18 at approximately 4:30pm when an individual was walking their dogs and saw the mountain lion lying in the field about 60 yards away.

In neither case did the mountain lion approach the individuals.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife recommends the following regarding mountain lions:

• Do not hike, bike or jog alone. Go in groups, with adults supervising children.

• Avoid hiking or jogging when mountain lions are most active – dawn, dusk and at night.

• Do not leave small children or pets outside unattended.

• Do not approach a mountain lion.

• If you encounter a mountain lion, do not run; instead, face the animal, make noise and try to look bigger by waving your arms or other objects. Pick up small children.

• If attacked, fight back.

• If a mountain lion attacks a person, immediately call 911.