Winter is almost here, and mountain lion activity is expected to increase in Boulder. Activity near town and populated areas becomes more common during the colder months. Though mountain lion sightings and pet depredation do occur in Boulder, the risk to humans is extremely low. We encourage community members to take precautions and be prepared if they encounter a mountain lion.
Mountain Lion
Here are a few tips on what to do if you encounter a mountain lion and how to discourage lions from visiting your property:
*Do not approach a lion. Most mountain lions will try to avoid confrontation. Give them a way to escape.
*Stay calm when you come upon a lion. Talk calmly and firmly to it.
*Stop or back away slowly if you can do so safely. Running may stimulate a lion’s instinct to chase and attack. 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.
To reduce the risk of problems with mountain lions on or near your property:
*Install outdoor lighting.
*Do not leave pets outside unattended, especially in the dark, dusk or dawn.
*Supervise children when outdoors.
*Make your yard less attractive. Remove access to potential food sources, including pets and livestock.
For more tips, visit the city’s website at bouldercolorado.gov.
Mountain lions have been a part of the Front Range ecosystem for thousands of years. They are both territorial and solitary. When a mountain lion establishes its territory, it is often the only lion in that area. If a mountain lion leaves its territory, another mountain lion takes it over. Because of this, removing or relocating lions observed in the city does not reduce potential conflict. Rather, the focus is on building education and awareness about lions in the community. Relocation and removal of lions from the city is reserved for individual animals that pose a direct threat to humans through abnormal or aggressive behavior.
Editor’s Note to Wildlife Hunters: Even though the ban on the big cats didn’t pass in Colorado this year, it’s still not wise to hunt the big cats as you will likely upset the ecological balance in the wildlife population. The good lord put the big cats on our planet for a reason and not for their fur coats or for a trophy! Then who takes care of the lion cubs if you kill a female lion? If your wife was killed in a tragedy and left you the kids, what would you do? If you don’t report the lion kill to the local wildlife authorities within 48 hours, you are legally responsible and will be fined or possibly worse. Obviously, the deer, elk, and other big game wildlife will outgrow their normal population and likely evade the cities and towns that Estes Park and other Colorado towns has experienced. If you want a trophy, go for the big game!
Remember when the Minnesota dentist-hunter killed that famous protected Cecil the lion in Africa and was chastised for it and lost customers and hurt his reputation and business! Sadly, the Chinese Tiger factories are bad enough for exploiting the big cats for their furs and the misconception on using their bones for sexual desires! Let’s not be like the Chinese, who also skin dogs and cats (sometimes alive as shown on YouTube) for their fur!
To learn more about mountain lions and wildlife or to report a mountain lion sighting in the city, visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website at cpw.state.co.us.