Deer Carcass Found in Portola Valley, Mountain Lion Suspected

The carcass of a deer that may have been killed by a mountain lion was found near a Portola Valley school this morning, San Mateo County emergency officials said.

The carcass was discovered at about 7:30 a.m. in the 200 block of Portola Road, near the Woodside Priory School.

Emergency officials said there were tracks nearby that may have been left by a mountain lion.

There have been a number of mountain lion sightings in the Woodside and Portola Valley areas in the past few weeks, but wildlife officials say the cats generally avoid confrontations with humans.

Last December, the were found on a field. The tracks of a mountain lion and her cub were found nearby, and police believe the deer had been killed by the mountain lion.

Mountain lions reside in more than half of California, and generally live wherever deer exist, including here in Belmont. For tips on what to do if encountered by a mountain lion, visit the Department of Fish and Game's website: www.dfg.ca.gov/news/issues/lion.

For more information about Belmont wildlife, .

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.