Blue Earth police and Faribault County Sheriff’s Department are on the lookout for a mountain lion.
According to the police department’s Facebook page, the cougar was spotted southwest of Putnam Park in the River Road area.
The Department of Natural Resources has been contacted and extra steps are being taken to track the animal’s location.
Local officials say that feeding deer will attract mountain lions.
Authorities are asking residents to avoid hiking or jogging through the wooded areas during dawn, dusk or at night; times when mountain lions are most active.
Because most cougars will try to avoid confrontation, authorities recommend not approaching the animal if you see it.
Authorities say that pets and pet food should be kept inside at night as even large dogs could become prey.