Lyon County says mountain lions in Mound House area have killed livestock, pets
The Lyon County Sheriff's Office has reported a number of mountain lions that have been observed in the Mound House area that have apparently killed domestic animals and livestock, according to a post on the county's Facebook page.
Lyon County advises people to contact LCSO dispatch if these mountain lions are a threat. Lyon County Sheriff's Office will be working with Nevada Department of Wildlife to trap the animals.
According to the Nevada Department of Wildlife, sightings of the big cats are rare but not unusual and it is not unusual to see wildlife coming down from the mountains to look for food.
Mountain lions are nocturnal and they are shy and typically are stealthy and afraid of humans and therefore stay out of the way of humans, said NDOW Spokeswoman Ashley Sanchez in an interview last year about a lion spotted in northwest Carson City. However, deer move to lower elevations because of the snow, so predators — like mountain lions — follow. Anywhere where there are deer there will be mountain lions.
"They work their way down in search of food," said Sanchez. "We ask people to secure all food attractants and to not leave food outdoors for wildlife. We ask for people to secure trash, don't leave food in cars, don't leave anything scented, nothing on your porch, food or pet feed."
Attractants does bring other wildlife to yards. That other wildlife is what attracts the mountain lions to yards, she added.
NDOW also advises to keep children and pets close to you, to be aware of their surroundings, keep pets on a leash when walking them and to bring pets indoors at night.