Saskatchewan has issued an emergency public alert, warning of a dangerous animal, a cougar, being sighted near a village northwest of Saskatoon.

SaskAlert says the cougar has been sighted just outside of Meota's village limits.

People are warned to be extremely cautious in the area and to keep well away from the animal if it's spotted.

The warning says not to approach or try to capture the animal, but to move indoors if possible and call local authorities.