Wyoming Game and Fish Department officials authorized the killing of a mountain lion Tuesday in a residential area in north Gillette South of Warlow Drive and east of Gurley Avenue. Area residents reported seeing the lion pass through their neighborhood on Monday.

The 2-year old, 100-pound female lion appeared to be in good physical condition, but was reluctant to leave the area. Game wardens and biologists decide what course of action to take based on available information. In this situation the lion was euthanized for public safety reasons based on the animal’s location and behavior. It was believed that any attempt to immobilize and relocate the animal would have resulted in increased danger to the public.

“It is not an easy decision for a wildlife professional to destroy a wild animal, but public safety is paramount,” explains Gillette Game Warden Irah Leonetti. “The G&F thanks the public for reporting the lion.”

Human/mountain lion interactions, although infrequent in Wyoming, can be a serious situation. If a mountain lion is sighted in a developed area, the G&F recommends reporting it immediately to the G&F or law enforcement authorities.  While the chance of a mountain lion attacking a human is low, if a lion is encountered, following the simple rules below decreases the likelihood of an attack:

• If you see a mountain lion, do not approach it.
• Stay calm and do not run. Mountain lions, like all cats, instinctively chase animals that run. If you have small children, pick them up so they don’t run, and back away slowly.
• Make yourself look bigger by opening your jacket or raising your arms. Throw rocks or sticks if you can without turning your back. You want to convince the lion you are not prey and may even be a danger to the animal.
• In the rare event the lion attacks, fight back with rocks, sticks, and kick or punch.

“As in the past, if a mountain lion is sighted in a municipal area, our number one concern is human safety,” says Leonetti. “Mountain lions are large predators that primarily prey on deer. This is an important reason not to attract deer into residential areas by feeding them.”

Leonetti told Basin Radio Network they found a partially consumed and partially buried mule deer carcass near the mountain lion.