A mountain lion spotted last week near a college campus in Merced has been captured and relocated, police said.<\/p>\n
The animal was spotted Thursday near Merced College, prompting a safety alert<\/a>, the Merced Sun-Star reported.<\/p>\n On Friday, a resident spotted the mountain lion in a tree and called police, who notified the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.<\/p>\n The mountain lion was tranquilized and removed to be relocated, the publication said.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what to know if you encounter a mountain lion.<\/p>\n What to know about mountain lions<\/p>\n Mountain lions are known as solitary and elusive carnivores found across diverse habitats, mainly in the western United States. Known for their incredible leaping ability, they can grow up to 8 feet in length and weigh up to 220 pounds.<\/p>\n They hunt primarily deer, typically living for 10 to 13 years in the wild.<\/p>\n Mountain lions are typically \u201ccalm, quiet and elusive,\u201d according to the National Park Service. While attacks involving mountain lions<\/a> are rare, they are possible.<\/p>\n \u201cEven so, the potential for being killed or injured by a mountain lion is quite low compared to many other natural hazards,\u201d the National Park Service said on its website. \u201cThere is a far greater risk, for example, of being killed in an automobile accident with a deer than of being attacked by a mountain lion.\u201d<\/p>\n What to do if you see a mountain lion<\/p>\n