Local residents report mountain lion sightings
By Sam Waller
Multiple sightings of a mountain lion in north Albany have been reported on social media by local residents.
One sighting was reported the morning of Aug. 4 at a residence near Nancy Smith Elementary School. Another was reported in the back yard of a northside residence on Aug. 7.
Game warden Jacob Mort said he has received only one official phone call about the situation, and that was not from someone who had personally spotted the cat.
“People are posting on social media, “ said Mort, “but I haven’t had one person call and say that they’ve actually seen one and tell me where it was.”
Mort added that he hasn’t received any reports of damage caused by a mountain lion.
“There haven’t been any calls referencing livestock being killed, like chickens or dogs,” he said. “And to my knowledge, the sheriff’s department has not received a phone call. For me, the telltale sign for a lion being around is that he’s going to be getting into stuff.”
Mort said such sightings are relatively rare in this part of the state.
“Mountain lions are very elusive animals,” he said. “There are guys who go their whole lives hunting and fishing and never see one.”
Mort emphasized that he is not disputing that there may be a mountain lion in the area, commenting that one was killed south of Abilene last year.
The big cats, also known as cougars, panthers, catamounts, or pumas, typically avoid contact with humans, according to the game warden.
“What people need to understand if this is a mountain lion, it would be afraid of humans,” he said. “They’re very afraid of humans. They’re going to run from humans.”
While attacks are on humans are not unheard of, Mort said, such events are far from the norm. The Texas Parks and Wildlife department website states there have been only 17 fatalities attributed to mountain lion attacks in the United States and Canada from 1890 through 2001, well over 100 years. Meanwhile, dogs kill about 18-20 people annually.
“There are very few attacks on humans by mountain lions,” Mort said. “Like anything, if you stand your ground, the cat will run. It’s not going to be confrontational by any means.”
Mort said the reason a mountain lion may be roaming locally is quite simple.
“Just food source,” he said “It’s definitely about food. Just like any predator animal, mountain lions run their day-to-day life based on food and the food source. If there is a cat, that’s probably what it’s trying to get to – chickens, livestock, things like that.”
Mort said the largest concentration of mountain lions in the state is in far West Texas in the Davis Mountains and Big Bend country, but the animals can range far from their normal habitat.
“The largest concentration of mountain lion population comes from the Black Hills of South Dakota,” he said. “Mountain lions have been tracked from South Dakota all the way to Ohio and even farther than that. You get a cat that’s been pushed out, and they’ll just follow the food source.”
Mort said a mountain lion presence can be determined by its tracks.
“When you’re looking for a mountain lion, it’s tracks are significantly different than a dog track or a coyote track, even a bobcat,” he said. “I don’t think people realize how large a mountain lion actually is. We have bobcats around here, but a mountain lion is significantly different from a bobcat.”
Mort added that surveillance will help determine where a cat may be lurking.
“If you think you’ve seen one, try to put out a trail camera,” he said. “That way, you have something watching all the time. Review security cameras, and let us know if you see one.”
Mort said that if a sighting is confirmed, he could possibly arrange for a professional trapper to come in.
To report a mountain lion sighting, call the toll-free number 800-792-1112. People may also report to TPWD headquarters or call the nearest office in Brownwood at 325-645-5977.
“I think the best course of action if you think one is around or you see it, call it in right then and not the next day,” Mort said.
The game warden can be dispatched by calling 911 or by contacting the sheriff’s office at 325-762-9500.
What to Do
The TPWD website offers advice for how to avoid encounters with mountain lions and what to do if one occurs.
According to the website, those living in an area inhabited by mountain lions should take these preventive actions to avoid a possible attack:
•Install outdoor lighting in areas where you walk after dark.
•Remove any vegetation a lion could hide in near children’s play areas and your house.
•Do not feed wildlife, including deer. Remember, predators follow prey.
•Keep pets under control. If pets are left outside overnight, confine them to kennels with tops.
•Store all garbage securely.
•Hike with others, carry pepper spray and a walking stick, and avoid early morning, dusk and nighttime excursions.
•Do not approach a mountain lion to get a better view or picture.
If you encounter a mountain lion:
•Pick up small children to prevent them from running and triggering a rush or attack.
•Stay calm, talk calmly, and slowly back away, keeping eye contact with the mountain lion.
•Do not turn your back.
•Do what you can to appear larger by raising your arms or waving a stick.
•If the lion is aggressive throw rocks or sticks, and speak firmly and loudly.
•Fight back if a lion attacks you. Lions can be driven off by fighting back. Do not play dead. Even children have successfully driven off a mountain lion by fighting back.
•Report all aggressive mountain lion behavior.
For more information, visit tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_br_w7000_0232.pdf.
