Residents of Plano, Texas, were taken by surprise after a mountain lion was spotted near the Chisolm Trail. While many were enjoying a peaceful day biking, walking, or fishing, some were unaware of the recent wild animal sighting. Miriam Fease, a local resident, was shocked to see video footage of the mountain lion captured on a neighbor’s ring camera. “Wow. That’s insane,” Fease exclaimed upon learning of the incident.
Mountain Lions In Texas
Mountain lions have been spotted in many neighborhoods across the country. More and more residents started noticing the animals in late October and now in early November. Thankfully, mountain lion attacks in Texas are very rare, with only four reported in nearly 45 years. Most mountain lions occupy the remote areas of West Texas.
History Of Confrontations Across The U.S.
In nearly 100 years, less than 100 people have been attacked by mountain lions in Texas. Seventeen people have been killed by mountain lions between 1890 and 2001. This is a small number when compared to attacks from other animals.
Concerns from Local Parents
Local parents, like Haley Campanella, expressed concern about the safety of their children after seeing the footage. Campanella, who lives near the area where the mountain lion was spotted, worried about her children playing outdoors. “It’s just scary thinking about my kids playing in the back alley, and that’s right where it was,” she said. Her toddler son, Cooper, took the news in stride, calmly responding, “I didn’t say anything” when shown the video of the mountain lion.
Tracking Mountain Lions in Texas
Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) has been monitoring mountain lion sightings since the 1990s. Rachel Richter, an urban wildlife biologist with TPWD, explained that mountain lions often travel large distances when looking for new territories. She suggested that the mountain lion spotted in Plano could be the same one recently seen in nearby Lake Dallas and Frisco. While mountain lion sightings in North Texas are rare, they are known to venture into densely populated areas, though they typically avoid human contact.
Distinguishing Between Mountain Lions and Bobcats
TPWD experts noted that mountain lions, though rare in the region, can sometimes be mistaken for bobcats, which are more common in North Texas. Richter explained that mountain lions are much larger and have long tails that extend past their feet, unlike bobcats with their short “bobbed” tails. Identifying the differences can help residents stay informed about local wildlife, especially as mountain lion sightings continue to be rare in urban settings.
What to Do If You Spot a Mountain Lion
Texas Parks and Wildlife encourages residents to report any mountain lion sightings to help track the animals’ movements. Richter advised that if you encounter a mountain lion, you should slowly move away without turning your back. In the case of an aggressive lion, she recommended throwing whatever you can at it and attempting to fight back. However, young Cooper had a different idea, saying, “I would put it in a cage. Give it my mountain lion food.”
Who You Can Call
Mountain Lions have lived in Texas and across the U.S. for far longer than the first European settlers. This means that they’ve been spotted all 254 counties in Texas. If a resident spots a mountain lion, they can call this toll-free number to report it – (800) 792 1112.
Preventative Measures To Keep Mountain Lions Out
There are things that residents can do to try to prevent encounters with mountain lions, like keeping outdoor areas well-lit. Try to avoid having bushes or vegetation that a mountain lion can hide in and make sure you don’t have any excess trash lying around, mountain lions can be scavengers too!
What To Do When Confronted
If a resident is unlucky enough to be confronted with a mountain lion, they must try to remain calm. Never turn your back on a mountain lion, and try to make yourself bigger by raising your arms. Never run from a mountain lion, as they will think you’re prey.
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