Warning Issued About Mountain Lion Living In Breckenridge
BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. (CBS4) – Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife officials have issued a warning about a mountain lion in the Breckenridge area.
According to Parks and Wildlife, a mountain lion has been observed living in the area of Cucumber Gulch in Breckenridge.
"The mountain lion is behaving normally and has not been visible during daylight hours," Matthew Collver with Breckenridge police said in a statement.
Collver noted that mountain lions are not new to Summit County.
"The Breckenridge Police Department would like to take this opportunity to remind citizens and guests that we live in wildlife country. We can live with mountain lions if we respect their instinct to find natural prey and their preference to live elusively," Collver said.
Additional Information From The Breckenridge Police Department
- Make plenty of noise if you come and go during the times mountain lions are most active-dusk to dawn.
- Closely supervise children whenever they play outdoors in areas where mountain lions are active. Talk with children about lions and teach them what to do if they meet one.
- When walking or hiking in lion country, travel in a group and make plenty of noise. If you encounter a lion, stay calm, move slowly and speak firmly. Stop or back away slowly, if you can do it safely. Running may stimulate a lion's instinct to chase and attack.
- Do all you can to appear larger. Raise your arms. Open your jacket if you're wearing one.
- If it becomes aggressive, throw stones, branches or whatever you can to convince the lion you are not prey and that you are a danger to it.
- Predators follow prey. Do not feed ANY wildlife!!
- Keep your pet under your immediate control. Obey lease laws. Roaming pets are easy prey and can attract lions and other wild animals. Bring pets indoors at night.
- Don't feed pets outside; this can attract other animals that are eaten by lions. Store all garbage securely.
- Encourage your neighbors to follow these simple precautions. Prevention is far better than a possible lion confrontation.
These facts and many more can be found at the Colorado Division of Wildlife website and the Town of Breckenridge website.
http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/LivingWithWildlife/Mammals/Pages/LionCountry2.aspx
