Neighbors in Millcreek’s Olympus Cove woke up to a very unwelcome visitor this week: a mountain lion caught on a doorbell camera pacing just outside a home and appearing to test ways into the house. The big cat padded along a narrow rock ledge tucked between a fence and the home, climbed into a tree that hangs over the property and even rested its head on a power line for a moment. Wildlife officials were called, residents say, and the neighborhood is now on alert while authorities sort out what happened next.
Doorbell Cam Puts Cougar in the Spotlight
Video shared with reporters shows the cougar coolly walking the rock ledge in the cramped slot between the house and fence, then scaling a tree above the yard, according to KMYU. That report notes that officials from the Utah Division of Natural Resources responded to the scene, although what happened to the mountain lion afterward has not been publicly detailed. Homeowners passed photos and video to news outlets, and nearby residents say they are now combing through their own doorbell footage to see if the cat wandered past their homes too.
What Wildlife Officials Say To Do
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources reminds people that cougars usually stick to foothill and canyon country, but occasionally follow deer into neighborhoods. The agency lays out clear safety steps: do not run, keep eye contact, make yourself look larger and back away slowly. Guidance from Utah DWR also stresses keeping children and pets nearby, trimming thick vegetation, installing motion-activated lights and reporting any sightings to conservation officers so staff can judge whether a particular animal poses an ongoing threat.
Another Near Miss in Millcreek History
Longtime residents say that living along the wildland edge comes with the occasional close encounter, as big cats shadow deer into lower elevations. In one earlier case, KSL reported in 2021 that a mountain lion actually crashed through a sliding glass door into a Millcreek home, then bolted back outside. Officials at the time called that incident “very unusual.” Wildlife experts point out that such events remain rare, and that what has really changed is the number of home security and trail cameras now catching animals on video.
Neighborhood on Alert, But Urged To Stay Calm
Millcreek guidance directs residents to contact the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and local police when they see aggressive or persistent wildlife, and to secure pets and closely supervise children near the foothills. Millcreek city and DWR share safety tips and phone numbers for reporting neighborhood sightings, and locals say they are keeping animals indoors while the situation plays out. For now, wildlife officers appear to be tracking the reports and asking residents to stay cautious, but not panicked.
