POCATELLO — The mountain lion that was captured along a popular trail near Idaho State University on Friday morning has raised questions and concerns about the encroachment of the big cats into the city.

Idaho Fish and Game said such incidents are normal for Pocatello and it’s unclear if more mountain lions are looking for food here.

Fish and Game said what is certain is that more people are talking about mountain lion sightings on social media and this gives the impression — possibly a false one — that there are more of the big cats in the area.

The Journal was contacted by multiple people following Friday morning’s incident near ISU about a recent increase in mountain lion sightings in south Pocatello. Fish and Game urges anyone who has concerns about a mountain lion sighting to contact Fish and Game’s Pocatello office at (208) 232-4703.

The fact the mountain lion near ISU was in a tree above the heavily traveled Red Hill trail behind Mountain View Cemetery also raised concerns that the big cat might have been preparing to attack humans, specifically children.

But Fish and Game says it’s more likely that the healthy adult male mountain lion was hunting marmots and rabbits known to populate the Red Hill area.

Fish and Game pointed out that there have been only three mountain lion attacks on humans since 1990 in Idaho and none of those incidents resulted in people being killed.

The mountain lion near ISU was reported to ISU Public Safety by a resident around 10:30 a.m. Friday. Public Safety then contacted Fish and Game, which responded and tranquilized the big cat. The mountain lion was then relocated to a remote area of Southeast Idaho later on Friday.

The Red Hill trail was closed to the public for a little over an hour while Fish and Game personnel tranquilized and captured the big cat.

Fish and Game said “the animal was in very good condition and the entire process went very smoothly.” No people were injured during the incident.

In response to the mountain lion along the trail, Fish and Game provided the following tips on Saturday that will help if you ever encounter one of the big cats:

1. Do not run.

2. If you are with children, pick them up without bending over.

3. Do not turn your back on the lion, crouch down, or try to hide.

4. Remain facing the lion and slowly back away. Leave the animal an escape route.

5. Try to appear as large as possible — stand on a rock or stump, hold up your arms, stand next to others.

6. Shout, wave your arms, and throw objects if the lion does not leave the area.

7. Fight back if a mountain lion attacks. Stay on your feet and use sticks, rocks, backpack, hands to fight back. Use bear spray if you have it.

8. Never approach a mountain lion or offer it food.

For more information about mountain lions, check out the Living with Mountain Lions brochure found on Fish and Game’s website at https://idfg.idaho.gov/sites/default/files/brochure_living-with-mtn-lions-2016-m.pdf