Mountain lion killed near Wellington after attacking goats, alpaca

A Colorado Parks and Wildlife officer shot and killed a mountain lion Saturday near Wellington after it attacked several livestock animals. 

Residents first spotted the mountain lion on the border of Larimer and Weld counties east of Wellington sometime in the early morning hours of Nov. 6. It had killed several alpacas, Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokeswoman Jennifer Churchill said in an email.

Residents in the area continued seeing the mountain lion throughout the month, and around Thanksgiving, it attacked and killed several goats, Churchill said.

Around 6:30 p.m. Saturday, a Colorado Parks and Wildlife officer shot and killed the mountain lion at the site of the goat kill, Churchill said. 

Colorado Parks and Wildlife often gets reports of mountain lions in Larimer and Weld counties, though it is less common for them to wander east of Interstate 25. 

"Wherever there are deer, there is a potential for lions to be around, as they eat deer," Churchill said. 

Parts of Colorado, including the Front Range, are prime habitat for mountain lions, which are also known as pumas, cougars and panthers. Colorado Parks and Wildlife estimates that between 3,000 and 7,000 live in the state.

Tips for living in mountain lion country:

• Clear brush away from buildings and in the yard to eliminate hiding places. 
• Install motion detectors for night lighting.
• Do not provide food for any wildlife. For example, bird feeders can attract deer and raccoons, which can attract mountain lions.
• Keep animals and livestock in an enclosed pen when they're outside, and bring pets inside at night.
• Tell children to play close to the house, particularly when it's near dusk. If they see a mountain lion, they should go inside. 

Source: Colorado Parks and Wildlife

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