Mountain lion spotted in northwest Carson City
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Sun, 01/22/2023 - 8:47am
Clarification: A Carson Now reader submitted two photos Saturday via Facebook instant message and left the following message: "A very healthy mountain lion relaxing at the end of Woodridge Circle in Timberline Thursday, January 19 2023."
Of the two photos, the main photo was taken by Connie Thompson. We reached out to Connie who explained that on Wednesday, Jan. 18, she called contacted NDOW because the mountain lion (as seen in the first photo) was acting sick and was not healthy.
As for the second photo, we are unaware who took the photo. The other information provided in the story is accurate as Carson Now contacted NDOW on Sunday morning to find out what we could about the mountain lion in the photos.
We regret any confusion and have removed the name of the sender of the photos.
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While mountain lion are stealthy and are rarely seen, they are in the region. Reports of them are not uncommon, especially now as they are looking for mule deer as a food source, according to an NDOW spokesperson.
"This is the time they are following deer prey," the spokeswoman said. "We've had calls in the Carson City area this year and it is typical for having these sightings."
She urged people who have seen mountain lions to call the NDOW dispatch line at (775) 688-1331 to report them. NDOW will log the information and, depending on the circumstance, send someone to the area.
"If they have eyes on it then call us, that way we can get someone out there," she said. "What we do depends on the situation. It's not a one size fits all."
Mountain lions occupy areas with rocky terrain throughout Nevada, especially where mule deer live.
Like most wild cats, they are solitary and tend to avoid areas with human disturbance, according to the Nevada Department of Wildlife. Occasionally they will be spotted passing through the outskirts of urban areas where food is readily available. Encounters with mountain lions are rare and the risk of an attack is extremely small.
NDOW notes on its Living with Mountain Lion webpage that like any wildlife, mountain lions can be dangerous.
To reduce the risk of problems with mountain lions on or near your property, NDOW urges the following precautions:
— Remove anything that might attract deer or other prey animals. This can include birdseed, pet food, trash or compost, water features, fallen fruit, excess shrubs, woodpiles, decks or other structures that can provide cover or a place to den.
— Make efforts to discourage deer from being present in your yard. Deer are one of the top food sources for mountain lions, so if they are in your yard, a lion could be too.
— Install devices to scare away the lions. Motion-activated lights and/or sprinklers are a great place to start.
— Closely supervise children whenever they play outdoors. Make sure children are inside before dusk and not outside before dawn. Talk with your children about lions and teach them what to do if they encounter one.
Pet safety:
— Keep your pet under control. Roaming pets are easy prey and can attract lions. Bring pets in at night. If you leave your pet outside, keep it in a kennel with a secure top. Don’t feed pets outside; this can attract raccoons and other animals eaten by mountain lions. Store all garbage securely.
— Place livestock in enclosed sheds or barns at night. Close doors to all outside buildings since inquisitive lions may go inside for a look.
Hiking in mountain lion country:
— Stay alert when on the trails and do not wear headphones.
— Avoid hiking or jogging when mountain lions are most active, between dusk and dawn.
— Parents, supervise small children closely and teach them about lion safety.
— If you run across a dead animal, especially if it’s partially eaten and then covered with brush or dirt, move away. Lions return to their kills.
What if I see a mountain lion?
— Do not approach a lion, especially one that is feeding or with kittens. Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation.
— Do NOT run away from it or corner it — give it space to leave. Back away slowly if you can do so safely – running may stimulate the ‘chase instinct’ that many predators have.
— Do all that you can to appear larger. Raise your arms. Open your jacket if you’re wearing one. If you have small children with you, protect them by picking them up so they won’t panic and run.
— If the lion is aggressive, throw stones, branches, or whatever you can get your hands on without crouching down or turning your back. Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly. What you want to do is convince the lion you are not prey and that you may be a danger to the lion.
— In the rare event of an attack — always fight back. Lions have been driven away by prey that fights back. People have fought back with rocks, sticks, caps or jackets, garden tools, and their bare hands successfully. Remain standing or try to get back up.
Am I in danger?
Human and mountain lion conflicts are extremely rare; taking the above precautions will help limit conflicts that may arise. Learning how to interact with mountain lions is an important step in making sure Nevada and our wildlife stay wild!
If you see a mountain lion in a residential area, report it to the Nevada Department of Wildlife dispatch line at (775) 688-1331.
