A mountain lion was reportedly sighted Monday morning near Jacoby Creek Elementary School, the Arcata Police Department said.

The sighting occurred at 6:45 a.m. in a field just north of the school. The mountain lion was last seen retreating into a wooded creek area north of the campus, the APD said.

Responding officers checked the area but were unable to locate the animal. The California Department of Fish and Game was notified of the sighting.

The APD is reminding people who encounter a mountain lion to take the following steps to let the lion know you’re not prey:

Look large, raise your arms and yell. Throw stones, branches or whatever you can reach without bending down. Do not crouch. Keep pets and children close to you. Don’t run. Running may stimulate the lion’s instinct to chase. Fight back if attacked. Remain standing and face the animal. Most mountain lions do their best to avoid an encounter with humans. Give the cat a way out and don’t ever approach a mountain lion.

It is requested that any mountain lion sightings in Arcata be reported to the Arcata Police Department and the State California Department of Fish and Game.