People who encounter a mountain lion should give it space and back away slowly.
A deputy's thermal drone captured mountain lions moving around one another during a training flight, according to KDVR.
These training flights are intentionally scheduled late at night and kept away from homes so residents aren't disturbed, as reported by KDVR. The deputy launched the drone near the football field, where it captured the mountain lions.
What The Report Says About The Training
The exercises exist for reasons far removed from wildlife-watching. Thermal drone training helps prepare sheriff's office pilots for wildfire response, search and rescue operations, and locating missing or endangered people, per the same seed report. The technology also allows deputies to document scenes and assess dangerous areas from a safe distance, sharpening the skills that speed up response time and improve safety when someone needs help.
For residents in mountain lion habitat, the encounter is a reminder to know how to respond to a sighting.
Mountain-Lion Population And Conflict Data
Colorado Parks and Wildlife estimates the statewide population of independent mountain lions, excluding kittens, at around 3,800-4,400. That estimate does not answer how often the agency has recorded conflicts in Boulder County in recent years. The draft management plan discusses human-lion conflict generally, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife and its Draft East Slope Mountain Lion Management Plan.
What To Do If You Encounter A Mountain Lion
Nederland sits in mountain lion habitat, and the sighting serves as a reminder of guidance for residents who may cross paths with the animals. People who encounter a mountain lion should stay calm, give the animal space, and back away slowly. If a lion approaches, people are advised to raise their arms, open their jacket to appear larger, and pick up small children or pets immediately.
Mountain lions are most active at dusk and dawn, and pet owners are urged to keep animals close and on a leash, especially after dark. Residents are also advised to avoid drawing deer into their yards, since deer sightings can in turn attract mountain lions looking for prey. Anyone moving through lion habitat should avoid thick vegetation and potential den sites, and if a feeding mountain lion or one with kittens is spotted, people should never approach it, as noted by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. After an encounter or attack, contact Colorado Parks and Wildlife; the local sheriff is an after-hours contact.
