‘Majestic’ mountain lion finds daring spot to people watch at Colorado park, photos show
A usually elusive predator took to people-watching from its perch at Garden of the Gods in Colorado.
The mountain lion showed up during a Motorless Morning event at the park Saturday, April 29, officials with Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services said in a May 4 post on Facebook.
It was on the quiet side that day at the park — cars were not allowed in the park between 5 a.m. and noon during the event. So the mountain lion may have felt safer, or perhaps more bold, without noisy traffic to worry about.
Photos show the mountain lion draped over tree branches and relaxing, yet keeping a watchful eye on the spectators photographing it from below. The towering red peaks of the park make for a stunning backdrop in the photo shoot.
“Garden of the Gods Park had a majestic visitor last weekend during our Motorless Morning event,” officials said in the post. “Mountain Lions are rare in the park, and it is uncommon to see them in the open or around people. They tend to live in remote, primitive country with plentiful deer and adequate cover.”
Officials reminded park visitors and the public to follow the “Leave No Trace” principle around wildlife by “being respectful, observing them from a distance and never approach, feed, or follow them.”
“As good stewards of these beloved spaces, it is important to remember that the places we love so much are the natural homes of an abundance of wildlife,” officials said in the post.
People shared their experiences seeing the majestic predator in the comments.
“Definitely was a big surprise and a treat to see it,” someone said with a photo they snapped of the cougar.
The mountain lion was spotted prowling through tree limbs later that night, another photo shows. The lion and its perch are dark in the photo, backlit by a soft orange and lilac sunset and snow-tipped mountain peaks in the background.
“I got this picture at about 7:45 that night. Pretty cool to see right at sunset,” they said.
“We should be proud that the park that has so many visitors each year is also calm enough for this native wildlife to feel comfortable and loving its perch in the tree,” someone else said.
Many also joked about mountain lions finding tourists “tasty” and being “meat on wheels” — and while attacks are possible, it’s more common for mountain lions to sneak around humans undetected.
“Well, we are in their yard,” someone pointed out.
What to do if you see a mountain lion
Mountain lions are typically “calm, quiet and elusive,” according to the National Park Service. While attacks involving mountain lions are rare, they are possible.
“Even so, the potential for being killed or injured by a mountain lion is quite low compared to many other natural hazards,” the National Park Service said on its website. “There is a far greater risk, for example, of being killed in an automobile accident with a deer than of being attacked by a mountain lion.”
Officials said there are some things you do take to prevent a mountain lion encounter from becoming an attack.
Stay calm and back away slowly.
Face the lion and stand up straight.
Don’t approach a mountain lion, especially if it’s with kittens.
Don’t run. It could stimulate a mountain lion’s chase instincts.
Pick up small children so they don’t panic or run away.
Don’t bend over or crouch down.
Throw things at the mountain lion if it continues to move toward you.
If the mountain lion attacks, fight back using anything around you.
Report all sightings, encounters or attacks to local park rangers or law enforcement.
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