Third lion sighting in Red Bluff

A mountain lion was spotted lying on the ground next to the amphitheater at Bidwell School in Red Bluff on Friday.

This is the third mountain lion sighting to be reported within Red Bluff city limits within a 10-day period.

Red Bluff police said the person who made the report said he was walking along Walnut Street when he saw the big cat lying near the school's amphitheater at 1256 Walnut St.

The man froze where he was standing until the animal got up and walked along the inner fence line of the school, according to a police report.

When police arrived at the school they were unable to locate the lion and there were no other reports confirming the sighting, police stated.

The second incident occurred on Aug. 4 when a Tehama County Sheriff's deputy spotted a mountain lion walking westbound across Main Street and Dog Island Park, said the Red Bluff Police Department.

Police reported the animal did not appear to be injured or aggressive.

The first reported mountain lion sighing this week was on Sunday, when the big cat was spotted roaming through Red Bluff behind the Villa Columba apartments at 460 Main St. around 1:12 a.m.

Police received 911 calls concerning the animal which was reported to be traveling southbound to the 400 block of Rio Street and the Red Bluff City Park.

When officers arrived at the park, the saw the big cat lying under a picnic table about 50 feet from the Sacramento River, police stated.

Police contacted the Department of Fish and Game, which determined "the animal was in its natural habitat near the river and didn't pose a risk to any humans."

Officers located a woman sleeping in the park and transported her from the area.

Police said the cat left the area traveling northbound along the riverbank and they lost sight of it, but contacted the staff at the Riverside Bar and Grill to advised them of the sighting. The business has an open patio near the area where the mountain lion was last seen.

California Department of Fish and Game and police have been investigating the areas where the animal has been spotted and found signs the animal had been in those locations, police reported.

Red Bluff Police is advising the public to contact the department if a mountain lion is observed within city limits.