School Lockouts: Boulder's Lions And Bears Are Ready To Learn

BOULDER, CO - Volunteer bear-sitters have taken on watchdog duties for a mother and her two cubs in West Boulder, while a mountain lion evaded capture all day Friday further north. Creekside Elementary, Casey Middle School, Whittier Elementary, and Flatirons Elementary all went into lockout procedures this week due to wildlife activity, according to reports from the Boulder Valley School District. Flatirons leads the count with four lockouts in the last two weeks. In a lockout, students are not allowed to leave the building, but activities go on as usual indoors.

The mother and her cubs were first spotted near Flatiron Elementary on September 10. They caused two lockouts due to sightings last week and two more this week. Volunteer bear-sitters and wildlife officials have been monitoring the area, reported the Daily Camera on Wednesday. Because of their proximity to the foothills, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is leaving the family alone for the moment. "Where they're at in Boulder, it's kind of a habitat where both humans and wildlife coexist," spokesman Jason Clay told the Camera.

Separately, Creekside Elementary went into lockout on Thursday after two bears were spotted in South Boulder. That location was notable as bears are rarely seen to the east of Broadway.

Friday, a mountain lion was spotted in North Boulder near Tyler Road, prompting the lockouts at Casey and Whittier. The Daily Camera reported that Colorado Parks and Wildlife attempted to tranquilize the cat, but the dart failed to stick. "The needle of the dart bent up, so the drug was not administered," Clay told the Camera. The mountain lion continued to evade capture throughout the day, but early this morning, Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced via Twitter that they were able to capture it overnight and are now working on relocation.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife encourages residents to report all sightings to its offices at 303-291-7227.

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