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Mountain Lion Spotted In Metro Area
DOW Asks Denver, Arvada Residents To Call If They Spot Mountain Lion
Denver Channel.com
May 16, 2003
There may be more than one mountain lion running around some local neighborhoods. The Colorado Division of Wildlife said Friday that it has received several reports of sightings this week in Arvada and northwest Denver, in the area that is south of Highway 36, east of Pecos and west of Broadway.
The latest sighting was reported Thursday morning -- one week after young female adult mountain lion was struck by a car and killed on Interstate 70 near Pecos.
The DOW said there have been several reported mountain lion sightings after the lion was killed on May 8, indicating that there could be more than one lion prowling around.
"It would not be unexpected for a cougar to follow other wildlife into an urban area. Wildlife often travels along streambeds and drainages," said DOW's Cameron Lewis.
Wildlife officers want to verify these sightings and is asking people who have possible evidence of a mountain lion (such as video, photos, tracks, feces, or hair), to call their nearest DOW office. For sightings in the Denver metro area, call (303) 291-7227.
Mountain lion tracks are different from a dog's tracks in several ways. Mountain lion prints usually have all four lower toes showing but no claw marks, as claws are retracted. The lion's lobed heel pad has a single-scalloped edge at front and double-scalloped edge at rear. Tracks showing visible claw marks most often belong to dogs, the DOW said.
If you spot these types of tracks, cover them with tubs or buckets to prevent destruction and inform the DOW. If you take pictures of tracks, you are asked to include a ruler or pen in the picture for size reference, the DOW said.
Mountain lions often kill their prey and cover it with branches or dirt, returning to feed later. If you run into a possible mountain lion cache (such as killed deer or other mammals), leave the kill site undisturbed and inform the nearest DOW office immediately.
As always, it is important to be aware of possible wildlife conflicts, Lewis said. Be aware that loose pets can become prey for mountain lions. Pets should not be allowed to roam free and leash laws should be obeyed in the metro area
DOW Asks Denver, Arvada Residents To Call If They Spot Mountain Lion
Denver Channel.com
May 16, 2003
There may be more than one mountain lion running around some local neighborhoods. The Colorado Division of Wildlife said Friday that it has received several reports of sightings this week in Arvada and northwest Denver, in the area that is south of Highway 36, east of Pecos and west of Broadway.
The latest sighting was reported Thursday morning -- one week after young female adult mountain lion was struck by a car and killed on Interstate 70 near Pecos.
The DOW said there have been several reported mountain lion sightings after the lion was killed on May 8, indicating that there could be more than one lion prowling around.
"It would not be unexpected for a cougar to follow other wildlife into an urban area. Wildlife often travels along streambeds and drainages," said DOW's Cameron Lewis.
Wildlife officers want to verify these sightings and is asking people who have possible evidence of a mountain lion (such as video, photos, tracks, feces, or hair), to call their nearest DOW office. For sightings in the Denver metro area, call (303) 291-7227.
Mountain lion tracks are different from a dog's tracks in several ways. Mountain lion prints usually have all four lower toes showing but no claw marks, as claws are retracted. The lion's lobed heel pad has a single-scalloped edge at front and double-scalloped edge at rear. Tracks showing visible claw marks most often belong to dogs, the DOW said.
If you spot these types of tracks, cover them with tubs or buckets to prevent destruction and inform the DOW. If you take pictures of tracks, you are asked to include a ruler or pen in the picture for size reference, the DOW said.
Mountain lions often kill their prey and cover it with branches or dirt, returning to feed later. If you run into a possible mountain lion cache (such as killed deer or other mammals), leave the kill site undisturbed and inform the nearest DOW office immediately.
As always, it is important to be aware of possible wildlife conflicts, Lewis said. Be aware that loose pets can become prey for mountain lions. Pets should not be allowed to roam free and leash laws should be obeyed in the metro area
