Mountain lion spotted in Lehi neighborhood euthanized
Aug 30, 2024, 11:21 AM | Updated: 4:10 pm
Mountain lion sighting in Lehi. (Lehi Police Department)
(Lehi Police Department)
LEHI, Utah — A mountain lion that had been sighted in Lehi earlier this week has been euthanized, according to the Lehi Police Department.
The mountain lion was first spotted on Monday on doorbell cameras. At first, wildlife officials were not sure if it was just passing through, which would have been normal. However, it continued to hang around the neighborhood.
Lehi City Communications Manager Jeanteil Livingston said their animal control officers had been trying to track the mountain lion and patrol the area. It was eventually spotted Thursday night at 2100 North in a construction company trailer lot.
“Once the mountain lion was located, it was euthanized,” Livingston said. “That came from [the Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife Resources] and they recommended that it be euthanized.”
In a statement to KSL, the DWR said it is normal for mountain lions to migrate through residential areas, but it becomes a concern when they become habituated to a certain area and are around people.
“At this time of year, you might get the mom mountain lions that are pushing their youth away so they can learn to start fending for themselves,” said Livingston. “And this mountain lion was a youth.”
The DWR said they try to relocate wildlife from areas where there may be encounters with people whenever possible, but in some situations, they have to prioritize public safety.
