Editor’s note: The Sopris Sun listed an item in Scuttlebutt two weeks ago soliciting information about mountain lion sightings in Carbondale, but did not receive any additional tips. Feel free to email james@soprissun.com if you have first-hand information.
There have been some confirmed sightings, along with several rumors floating around, of at least one mountain lion in the Hendrick Drive area of Carbondale since September.
The buzz began around the same time when a local Instagram post was shared by “Nature is Metal” (@natureismetal), an Instagram profile with well over five million followers. The re-post received 218,077 “likes” and hundreds of comments. The video (www.bit.ly/IGmountainlion) shows a mountain lion taking a racoon as its prey. It’s apparent in the video that the mountain lion’s right-hind leg is injured.
While it’s claimed in the post that mountain lions will go after smaller prey when they are injured, Colorado Public Wildlife’s local wildlife manager, Matt Yamashita, didn’t completely discount that claim, but said that it’s not always the case.
“Mountain lions are frequently opportunistic predators and will kill and feed on a variety of prey species such as deer, elk, bighorn sheep, rabbits, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, turkeys, doves, etcetera,” he told The Sopris Sun. “The size of prey they target is not always indicative of their health and is based more on what they can find.”
Yamashita stated that CPW was made aware of the video in September and followed up with the homeowner who initially posted it. CPW relayed that the residence was on the west side of Carbondale, but would not provide the exact location.
“We have a robust population of mountain lions in the area and routinely receive reports,” said Yamashita. “The number of reports tends to increase in the winter as their sign becomes more easily recognizable — tracks in snow — and prey species concentrate on winter range. These habitats often coincide with the valley floors, where human activity is also located.”
“The area has received additional reports of mountain lion sightings since and [CPW has] investigated each report,” added CPW’s public information office, Rachael Gonzales. “However, none of the mountain lion sighting reports since have involved the mountain lion in September. With that being said, we only know what has been reported to us.”
Rico the cat
Karen Duncanson lives on Hendrick Drive in Carbondale, and around the same time as the incident between the mountain lion and the racoon, her cat, Rico, was also swooped up by a mountain lion. The incident, as far as Duncanson is aware, was not reported to CPW.
Rico was accustomed to going in and out of Duncanson’s home. He himself was a hunter, and liked to track mice.
One evening, around the end of September, Duncanson’s neighbor stepped out for some fresh air and heard a commotion and a screech that sounded like a domestic cat in distress. Sure enough, they turned to see a mountain lion. The neighbor acted big and “growl yelled,” spooking off the big cat. Understandably startled as well, the neighbor left the scene only to return shortly thereafter to see Rico dead where the big cat had been. The next day, his body was nowhere to be found, and was presumably taken by the mountain lion.
The neighbor, who chose to remain anonymous, said they did not notice that the mountain lion was injured, but added that it all happened “so fast.”
Duncanson said that the mountain lion has been the talk of the neighborhood as of late. She has heard that it took down a deer nearby, and that it may have two cubs. Neither of these claims have been confirmed.
“I actually feel a little sorry for the mountain lion if she’s injured,” said Duncanson. “I understand, just like with bears, we’re in their territory.” She acknowledged that “it brings up the point of how humans have encroached on the natural habitat of the wildlife.”
Duncanson was not aware of any rumors that the mountain lion had been poisoned, a tip given to The Sopris Sun that has not been confirmed. When asked about that, she said, “Oh, I’d hope that wouldn’t happen.”
She would like to know whether the mountain lion is still in the neighborhood, if she does have two growing cubs, if she’s still hurt, and so forth.
Duncanson has a new companion, Poppy, and concluded, “You can bet I won’t let this kitty out.”
Gonzales stated that when a mountain lion kills a household pet, considered personal property, it is not grounds to put it down. She added, “It is illegal to kill a mountain lion using poison, with or without a tag.”
When it comes to keeping pets safe from mountain lions, the CPW website advises: “Keep your pet under control. Roaming pets are easy prey and can attract lions. Bring pets in at night. If you leave your pet outside, keep it in a kennel with a secure top. Don’t feed pets outside; this can attract raccoons and other animals that are eaten by lions.”
To report a sighting in Carbondale and surrounding communities, call the Glenwood Springs CPW office at 970-947-2920. Visit www.bit.ly/LivingWithMountainLions for more information about living with mountain lions.