Colorado Springs, Colo. (AP) Authorities have called off the search for a lion in eastern El Paso county.

It's not clear if there ever was a lion in the area or if it may have left the rural area about 15 miles east of Colorado Springs.

Three different people reported seeing a lion Monday morning and one took some grainy photos. Search dogs haven't been able to pick up a scent for a lion and none of the searchers ever spotted it.

Wildlife division spokesman Michael Seraphin said paw prints were found near the home of one sighting but no other tracks were discovered.

The four wildlife sanctuaries that are permitted to have lions all say their lions are accounted for.