Jim Avril/picture courtesy
After a rise in mountain lion assaults in Grand County, together with Grand Lake, Colorado Parks and Wildlife launched a report warning residents to remain alert, as a result of lions are nonetheless within the space.
Residents have seen extra mountain lion exercise in current months, each with safety cameras and with their very own eyes. Based mostly on the sightings, the residents of Grand Lake believed that three lions had been of their space. Parks and Wildlife acknowledged that the primary reported assault occurred on December 19, 2022, west of the Shadow Mountain Reservoir.
“After leaving her canine outdoors at round 10pm, the canine’s proprietor heard her canine making noises,” the report reads. “Whereas opening the door to see what was occurring, the proprietor hit a mountain lion on the door, inflicting the canine to drop and run away. The canine was injured however survived.”
The second assault additionally passed off within the Shadow Mountain Reservoir space. On January 19, Grand Lake native Sarah Gonzalez was getting back from a stroll along with her canine. A lion ambushes the canine from beneath the balcony, killing it. After makes an attempt to scare the lion away fail, Sarah’s husband shoots and kills the lion. The lion was a feminine about 7 years previous.
“After investigation, the responding wildlife officer decided there was a menace to human well being and security and didn’t ticket the canine’s proprietor,” the report acknowledged.
The newest assault passed off on Monday, January 23. Grand Lake resident Kathy Lund was getting back from a stroll along with her canine. Once they reached the entrance door, a lion rushed in and grabbed the canine. Lund managed to scare off the lion, and the injured canine was taken to the vet’s workplace.
Parks and Wildlife officers responded to the scene, monitoring the lion by following tracks within the snow to a close-by tree.
In accordance with the report, wildlife officers decided that there was a menace to human well being and security primarily based on data from the proprietor. The lion officer, who they decided was a feminine, was killed at about 1.5 to 2 years previous.
Residents noticed three lions touring collectively, and the kitten was possible the seven-year-old lion cat that killed Gonzales’ canine. Typically cats They journey with their mom for as much as about two years, though they often separate after about 15 months.
In response to the current assaults, District Wildlife Director Jerome Huntington acknowledged, “These are unlucky conditions. Incidents like this function a superb reminder that we reside in mountain lion nation and that consciousness of our environment is vital.”
Sarah Polley/video courtesy
Of their report, Parks and Wildlife outlines the next measures individuals can take to reside safely in mountain lion habitat.
- When letting pets outdoors between nightfall to daybreak (when mountain lions are most energetic), test the realm and activate lights and make noises earlier than letting pets outdoors. Watch them intently and do not depart them in a single day.
- If homeowners should depart pets outdoors in a single day, hold them in a coated shelter.
- Preserve canines on a leash whereas strolling. Roving pets are simple prey and may entice mountain lions.
- Watch youngsters intently when they’re enjoying outdoor, particularly through the dusk-to-dawn hours and educate them to be good if they’ve an in depth encounter with a mountain lion.
- S-stop. don’t run!
- M- Make your self look previous.
- A – announce your presence in a solemn voice: “Go away me alone, lion!”
- R- Undo by slowly backing away.
- T- Inform an grownup in regards to the encounter.
- When encountering lions on their property, residents can drive them away by making loud noises – sounding automobile alarms, banging pots and pans collectively, blowing a whistle or air horn, and so forth.
- Don’t feed wildlife. Feeding one species will convey all the meals chain up. Take away hen feeders. Birdseed will entice many small animals and deer, which in flip will invite mountain lions.
- Don’t feed pets outdoors. This could tempt different animals to fall prey to mountain lions.
- If deer are lingering on their property, residents can drive them away (shouting, utilizing air horns, alarms, and many others.) to cut back the possibility of encountering a mountain lion. Deer and different prey shall be introduced by mountain lions.
“It is vital to know how you can shield your self, your youngsters, and your pets, and what to do should you see a mountain lion,” Huntington mentioned. “We additionally need to stress the significance of guaranteeing that you do not entice mountain lions into your house.”
The report states that the aim is to make the mountain lion really feel as uncomfortable and undesirable as potential in order that it leaves. Though two aggressive lions have been killed, Grand Lake and Grand County usually are house to different lions.
“It’s important that we’re notified of mountain lion sightings or a battle occurring instantly,” mentioned Parks and Wildlife Officer Serena Roxund. “The sooner we all know, the earlier we will begin observing the lion and its conduct.”
To report a mountain lion sighting or encounter in Grand and Summit counties, name the Scorching Sulfur Springs District workplace at 970-725-2600. For after-hours wildlife emergencies, name the Colorado State Patrol at 970-824-6501 and they’re going to ahead all reviews to wildlife officers.