Mountain lions on the move
By JoAn Bjarko
North Forty News
A mountain lion briefly took up residence on a porch in Highland Acres
subdivision near Douglas Reservoir on May 30, until a wildlife manager
succeeded in scaring it away with a beanbag shot.
District wildlife manager Steve Znamenacek said the young lion was lying
on exposed rafters over a deck, hiding among tree branches. "In the lion's
mind, it was a safe place," he explained. The lion caused no damage.
Znamenacek surmised it was a younger cat looking for a territory to claim
as its own. No other mountain lions have been reported in that particular
area, according to district wildlife manager Nancy Howard, who covers the
Wellington and Waverly area.
Highland Acres, at the intersection of County Roads 15 and 60, is less
than 5 minutes from Fort Collins. Howard said she has not heard of a mountain
lion near Douglas Reservoir before this incident, but it would not be unusual
for a mountain lion to show up anywhere in Colorado. Reports from Owl Canyon
and Terry Lake are more common in her district, she said.
"Everyone should know what to do when they see a lion," Howard advised.
North Forty News readers also reported mountain lions killing a goat and
lambs in the Stove Prairie area in the past two months.
"As Colorado's population grows, there will be more lion and bear sightings,
not necessarily more bears and lions," said Znamenacek, whose district
includes Poudre Canyon.
The mountain lion, commonly known as cougar, panther or puma, exists only
in the Western Hemisphere and is one of North America's biggest cats. The
Colorado Division of Wildlife estimates there are between 3,000 and 7,000
lions in the state. Individual lions range in areas varying in size from
10 to 370 square miles.
Znamenacek also responded to a lion report in the Owl Canyon area in the
past month, where he advised the landowner to trim the lower branches from
trees forming a windbreak. "Lions need cover," he explained. "They use
short bursts to catch their prey by ambush."
Znamenacek also advised area residents to keep pets indoors at night or
put them in an enclosed area with a roof.
Area residents should call the Division of Wildlife about mountain lion
sightings or lion problems. The weekday number during business hours is
472-4300. The Colorado State Patrol takes nonemergency calls for the division
during evenings and weekends. That number is 303-239-4501.
"Call sooner rather than later," Howard requested.
Lions are most active from dusk to dawn, although they travel and hunt
in the daylight. Lions prefer to eat deer; however, they also kill elk,
porcupines, small mammals, livestock and a variety of domestic animals.
Following are tips from the DOW for living in mountain lion habitat:
Make lots of noise if you come and go during the times mountain lions
are most active--dusk to dawn.
Install outside lighting. Light areas where you walk so you could see
a lion of one were present.
Closely supervise children whenever they play outdoors. Make sure children
are inside before dusk and not outside before dawn. Talk with children
about lions and teach them what to do if they meet one.
Landscape or remove vegetation to eliminate hiding places for lions,
especially around children's play areas.
Don't feed pets outside; this can attract raccoons and other animals
that are eaten by lions. Store all garbage securely.
Lion attacks on people are rare, with fewer than a dozen fatalities in
North America in more than 100 years. Most of the attacks were by young
lions, perhaps forced out to hunt on their own and not yet living in established
areas, according to the DOW. Young lions may key in on easy prey, like
pets and small children.
The DOW also offers the following suggestions when people encounter a mountain
lion.
When walking in mountain lion country, go in groups and make plenty of
noise to reduce your chances of surprising a lion. A sturdy walking stick
can be used to ward off a lion. Make sure children are close to you at
all times.
Do not approach a lion, especially one that is feeding or with kittens.
Most mountain lions will try to avoid confrontation. Give them a way to
escape.
Stay calm when you come upon a lion. Talk calmly yet firmly to it. Move
slowly.
Stop or back slowly, if you can do it safely. Face the lion and stand
upright.
Do all you can to appear larger. Raise your arms. Open your jacket if
you're wearing one. If you have small children with you, protect them by
picking them up so they won't panic and run.
If the lion behaves aggressively, throw stones, branches or whatever
you can get your hands on without crouching down or turning your back.
Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly.
Fight back if a lion attacks you. People have fought back with rocks,
sticks, caps, jackets, garden tools and their bare hands successfully.
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