A public safety alert will be put out to residents in Sierra Madre Tuesday after two large mountain lions were spotted overnight, said police.
Mountain lion sightings are common in Southern California, especially in cities and areas where homes are close to the animals' habitat like Fallbrook, Palomar Mountain and Alpine in San Diego's East County.
The two big cats were camped out in the front yard of a residence in Sierra Madre south of the Angeles National Forest and north of the 210 freeway around 12:30 a.m.
“The two mountain lions stayed in the area for about 15 minutes until our officers ran them back up into the hills,” said Sgt. Joe Ortiz, of the Sierra Madre Police Department.
The animals were very large, and probably each weighed around 200 pounds, according to officers.
The homeowners, who have lived at the home for nearly 20 years, said they've seen bears and bobcats, but nothing like these cats.
“One 15-year veteran of our department said the two mountain lions were the biggest she’s ever seen in Sierra Madre,” said Sgt. Ortiz.
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The agency issuing the alert to residents will be determined later Tuesday morning, said police.
Last October, school officials called for a lockdown at Jamacha Elementary School after a parent reported seeing a mountain lion running away from campus.
In September 2010, Rancho Santa Fe residents were told to keep an eye on their kids and pets after a newspaper delivery driver spotted a mountain lion in the neighborhood.
