CITY OF MONTE VISTA
POLICE DEPARTMENT
George Dingfelder
Chief of Police
95 West 1st Avenue, Monte Vista, Colorado 81144
Phone: (719) 852-6161
Cell: 719-588-3719
MOUNTAIN LION SIGHTING
The Monte Vista Police Department recently received a citizen report of a mountain lion in the area of 3rd and Madison within Monte Vista. The sighting was forwarded to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Monte Vista office for further investigation. This is a public awareness notification, as the presence of a lion has not yet been confirmed by CPW as of this press release.
To reduce the risk of problems with mountain lions on or near your property, CPW urges you to follow these simple precautions:
· Make lots of noise if you come and go during the times mountain lions are most active: dusk to dawn.
· Install outside lighting. Light areas where you walk so you could see a lion if one were present.
· Closely supervise children whenever they play outdoors. Make sure children are inside before dusk and not outside before dawn. Talk with children about lions and teach them what to do if they meet one.
· Landscape or remove vegetation to eliminate hiding places for lions, especially around children’s play areas. Make it difficult for lions to approach unseen.
· Planting non-native shrubs and plants that deer often prefer to eat encourages wildlife to come onto your property. Predators follow prey. Don’t feed any wildlife!
· 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 that are eaten by lions. Store all garbage securely.
· Place livestock in enclosed sheds or barns at night. Close doors to all outbuildings since inquisitive lions may go inside for a look.
· Encourage your neighbors to follow these simple precautions. Prevention is far better than a possible lion confrontation.
For more information on living with mountain lions, go to https://cpw.state.co.us/learn/Pages/LivingwithWildlifeLion1.aspx
If you do see a mountain lion, do not approach it and report it to the CPW Monte Vista office at 719-587-6900 or Colorado State Patrol Dispatch at 719-852-5111.
