Mountain Lion Sightings continue in the Wood River Valley; how residents can be proactive

KETCHUM, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — Fish and Game is continuing to receive multiple reports of two mountain lions frequenting neighborhoods in the Wood River Valley, and because of that, Fish and Game is reminding residents to be aware.

Since January 1, there have been at least 20 calls from people who have seen mountain lions in the Wood River Valley, but Terry Thompson from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game knows there have been more sightings.

Thompson says now is the time to be proactive, and for residents to work to discourage these lions from living in the city limits.

Always keep your pets on a leash, don’t feed your pets outside or leave their food dishes outside.

Never feed wildlife of any type, be aware of your surrounding, and don’t leave your household garbage outside and unsecured.

“But if there is a lion in your town, in your neighborhood, we would much rather know about it beforehand, because then we would be proactive, if it’s if the first time we hear about it is when they have taken a pet or taken a swat at somebody, then we are in reactive mode and our options are a lot less,” said Terry Thompson, the regional communications manager of Idaho Fish and Game.

He also says if you do encounter a lion, you can scare them away by making a lot of noise, using bear spray, and making yourself look as large as possible and never run away from them.