Recent footage has the DWR explaining when to report a neighborhood mountain lion sighting
Dec 12, 2023, 5:00 PM
A mountain lion was spotted in a Cottonwood Heights neighborhood. (Jim Warburton)
(Jim Warburton)
COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS, Utah — A cougar was spotted several times in a Cottonwood Heights neighborhood over the last few days. And Utah officials say this is a good example of when to report such a sighting.
Jim Warburton’s doorbell camera footage caught the cougar passing through his backyard not once, but three times over the last 10 days.
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Faith Heaton Jolley with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources said sightings like this aren’t uncommon, but there are proper ways to handle them.
Jolley said that in neighborhoods close to the mountains, cougars are often just passing through while looking for food. If you see a cougar once, let it be.
“If they’re just migrating through, it’s a one-time thing, by the time somebody’s reported it, it’s long gone by the time we get there.”
When to report a mountain lion sighting
However, if you see it twice, it could pose a larger threat. Jolley said that’s when it’s time to call the DWR.
“They should also report it if it exhibits aggressive behavior or if it has appeared several times on their security cameras.”
If the animal has killed an animal in your yard or neighborhood, that’s another red flag that warrants a call to the DWR.
To stay safe Jolley said, “We definitely recommend bringing your pets and keeping your kids inside. Particularly at dusk and at dawn.”
After it’s been reported, the DWR can locate cougars who may be lingering around a neighborhood.
Then, once found, the DWR will do all it can to move the cougar to a better and safer habitat.
