A young mountain lion found itself at the center of attention earlier this month when it took a break in a Hermosa resident’s backyard.
Deedee Courter said a mountain lion had been seen wandering around her neighborhood, looking into people’s houses, before ending up in her backyard on June 5.
The lion reportedly came into the backyard around 8 p.m. and appeared to be curious but not aggressive when her brother took pictures. Courter said the lion didn’t move until her dogs started barking, even when her brother tapped on the window. She said it stayed for about five minutes before leaping over a 6-foot privacy fence.
While she has seen no further sightings, Courter said Monday she has been checking her yard at night before she lets her pets out.
“It makes us nervous,” Courter said.
Joe Lewandowski, spokesman for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, said it is not unusual for people to see mountain lions in the Durango area.
He said it’s not necessary to report mountain lion sightings to CPW unless the animal starts to become more comfortable in a neighborhood. Lewandowski warned against feeding deer and other wild animals to help keep pets safe.
It’s extremely rare for lion to attack humans, he said.
In Colorado, population estimates range from 3,000 to 7,000 mountain lions living in the wild.
bmandile@durangoherald.com
