An off-duty police officer brought out a full-court press in San Jose Friday after he spotted a mountain lion near a high school basketball court.
The office called the sighting in at 1:45 p.m. after he said he saw the creature just outside Valley Christian High School.
The mountain lion, estimated to be about 80 pounds, fled over a fence and into a nearby neighborhood before police arrived, Sullivan said.
The school is located at 100 Skyway Drive.
Police responded, as did animal control.
All of the students were held inside for a time.
Police also closed off near by Senter Road.
No big cat was found and the official search was called off around 3:30 p.m.
Anyone in the area is being asked to be careful tonight, but experts say mountain lions usually avoid humans when at all possible.
Anyone who spots a mountain lion is asked to call 911.
