Cougar Sightings Cause Officials To Consider Lethal Measures

BOULDER, CO — Recent sightings of mountain lions in Boulder have wildlife officials concerned, according to reports. The Daily Camera reported officials are considering using lethal measures to suppress the threat.

"We have a real concern about these juvenile lions learning to hunt in town around the people and schools," said Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesman Jason Clay, according to the Camera.

"We tried to get these mountain lions out of town and they came right back," Clay said.

Several sightings in recent weeks have caused the suggestions of killing the cougars in order to ensure the population's safety from the animals.

Some safety tips for mountain lion encounters, as obtained from the Mountain Lion Foundation, include:

• Seem as large as possible. Make yourself appear larger by picking up children, leashing pets in, and standing close to other people. Open your jacket. Raise your arms. Wave your raised arms slowly.
• Make noise. Yell, shout, bang your walking stick or water bottle. Make any loud sound that cannot be confused by the lion as the sound of prey. Speak slowly and loudly to disrupt and discourage the lion's hunting instincts.
• Act defiant, not afraid. Maintain eye contact. Never run past or away from a mountain lion. Don't bend over or crouch down. Aggressively wave your arms, throw stones or branches, do not turn away.
• Slowly create distance. Assess the situation. Consider whether you may be between the lion and its kittens, prey or cache. Back away slowly to give the mountain lion a path to retreat, never turning your back. Give the lion the time and ability to get away.
• Protect yourself. If attacked, fight back. Protect your neck and throat. People have used rocks, jackets, garden tools, tree branches, walking sticks, fanny packs and even bare hands to turn away mountain lions.

The Coloradoan reported a study by Colorado Parks and Wildlife as saying April and May are the peak of mountain lion activity in the area looking for prey.

See the backyard mountain lion video below: