Mountain lion spotted in Post Falls

POST FALLS — There were no more reports of a mountain lion in Post Falls over the weekend after two reports were made Thursday in the area of Black Bay Park, according to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

Phil Cooper, Fish and Game wildlife conservation educator, said the agency is leaving it up to "individual discretion" whether to visit the park.

"IDFG is not making a recommendation either way," Cooper said Monday. "The lion may be miles away by now or still be there. Nobody knows where it is today or will be tomorrow."

Cooper said the original sighting was captured when a home remodeler took a video on his phone in the daytime.

"The video showed to an IDFG officer appeared to be a young lion," he said.

Cooper said there were no confirmed reports of a cub, contrary to some reports. He said it is unclear whether the second sighting was of the same lion.

"Different perceptions of each beholder," said Cooper, referring to the differing reported sizes of the lion.

Cooper said both reported sightings were on the ground during the day.

Post Falls police Capt. Greg McLean said his agency didn't receive any further reports of a mountain lion over the weekend, either.

Chip Corsi, IDFG's regional supervisor, said PFPD has been advised that if it encounters the animal, it should be euthanized.

"Lions that figure out how to make a living in and around developed areas are often making a living on pets and pose a risk to public safety," Corsi said. "Thus, when we find a lion under those circumstances, it is euthanized. We don't relocate lions. Lion numbers are high, so there is no need to bolster a population with a relocated lion."

Corsi said people should stay away from mountain lions like other wild animals "and particularly wild animals that are capable of inflicting harm."

Mountain lion sightings in urban areas are neither routine nor rare, Corsi said. Young lions are often weaned or "booted out" by their mother, he said, so they wind up in a more developed area to look for a territory to occupy.

The mountain lion sighting is the latest wildlife report in Post Falls along the Spokane River. Three moose hung around the Pine Villa, Kiwanis Park and Hunter's Glen areas all winter, but there have been no reports in recent days.

"Should they remain or return to the area, and if the situation allows, we will consider immobilization using a narcotic and relocation," Corsi said.