Fish and Game hazes mountain lion that bedded down in Idaho backyard
Twice last week Idaho Department of Fish and Game officials used hazing methods to try to scare off a mountain lion that had made a bed in someone’s backyard, according to IDFG news releases.
The male mountain lion made a day-bed, or daytime resting and feeding site, near a backyard in south Ketchum last Wednesday, officials said. By the next day, the animal had not left, so officers used non-lethal hazing tactics including rubber shotgun slugs and buck shot to try to scare the mountain lion from the site.
“We want the lion to associate a negative and somewhat painful interaction if they choose to stay within our local communities among people and pets,” conservation officer Josh Royse said in the news release. “We hope that by using non-lethal methods that we can move these urban mountain lions out into the mountains surrounding the Wood River Valley.”
The mountain lion returned to the site the next day, prompting the homeowner to contact Fish and Game again. When the lion left the day-bed Friday, officers found the carcass of a partially consumed elk calf there. They removed the carcass in hopes of discouraging the mountain lion from returning.
Royse said the mountain lion’s behavior was worrisome.
“We are concerned with what appears to be increasing situations of lions becoming less fearful of humans,” he said. “When lions don’t react as we would expect them to, there will be times we need to take actions like we did today.”
It’s the latest in a series of mountain lion interactions in the Wood River Valley over the last month. In late December, three dogs were killed and two others injured in mountain lion attacks in the area. Fish and Game killed one mountain lion following the attacks. Another mountain lion was killed near Cascade after attacking and consuming a dog.
Fish and Game officials said they’ve received more than 50 reports of mountain lion sightings in the Magic Valley Region in the last several months. They encouraged residents to leash pets when walking, remain aware of surroundings and avoid running away if they encounter a mountain lion.
