GRANVILLE, Ohio -- Police officers said that they spotted a lion roaming in the woods last week.

The sighting was taken seriously, prompting officials to mail a letter to area residents, WCMH-TV reported.

Two officers reportedly saw the animal on Wednesday. According to the letter, police described the creature as a large, tawny-colored animal, with large eyes, unlike those of a deer.

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No animal tracks were found, but police were sure they watched the animal head into the woods, prompting them to warn residents.

"We hope it's not a lion," said resident Deven Wrightsel. "We have a lot of animals around here running around. I hope they figure out what it is."

"I've heard of this lion from Zanesville, and it sounds like its going west," said resident Steven Seng. "There are enough people who have seen lions. They've been to the zoo they know what a lion looks like."

There have been scattered reports of lion sightings between Gahanna and Zanesville since May.

The sightings began May 3 in the Taylor Road area of Gahanna. Witnesses of three confirmed lion sightings said that they spotted a female lion, weighing anywhere between 300 and 400 pounds.

"I looked out and thought I was losing my mind," witness Jack Dingiss said. "I saw a lion run under the trailers."

With every reported lion sighting, police swarmed the area on the ground and in the air.

The lion was reportedly spotted May 4 east of Port Columbus International Airport.

Police didn't find a lion, but did flush out a coyote. But some witnesses were convinced of what they saw.