Search still on for elusive ‘‘large cats” near Camp Springs

Thursday, April 27, 2006

Air Force security personnel and Prince George’s animal control officers continued to search for two large cats, possibly mountain lions, near Andrews Air Force Base in Camp Springs Thursday evening.

Initial reports claimed that one or two mountain lions were on the loose in the area, causing three elementary schools to be locked down. But the Air Force would only say the animals had been identified as large cats and could provide no more detail.

The reports started at 10:30 a.m. when a large brown cat scaled the fence of the base and dropped onto Allentown Road. The second animal, reported as black, is believed to be still on the base.

Reports continued late into the day with confusion as to the number nature and size of the animals.

‘‘We don’t know what it is,” said Donna Wilson, director of the Department of Environmental Resources. ‘‘We haven’t seen a darn thing.

‘‘We’re responding to reports of an animal larger than a dog and tan colored... and that was at a distance.”

Authorities are ‘‘erring on the side of caution” and continuing their search, Wilson added.

Mountain lions live in many regions of the United States and are the largest wild cats in North America.

Adult mountain lions can reach up to 200 pounds and are usually known as nocturnal predators.

Princeton, Skyline and Francis T. Evans elementary schools went into lock down because of the reported sightings. Pupils were dismissed at the regular time if they had transportation. Those who would have left school on foot were held until their parents could pick them up.