Mountain lion killed in Priest River

A mountain lion that had reportedly killed a cat near an elementary school in Priest River was euthanized Tuesday by IdahoFish and Game conservation officers.

The lion had been observed within city limits near the junior high school, Fish and Game said. The cat’s owner saw the lion on her property twice before contacting Fish and Game.

Fish and Game officers, the Priest River Police Department and a wildlife biologist from the Kalispel Tribe tracked and killed the lion on county property west of Priest River High School, according to Fish and Game.

“That is uncommon behavior for a lion to be hanging out in town like that,” said Senior Conservation Officer Doug Meyer.

The decision to euthanize the lion was based on its proximity to town and risk to public safety, Meyer said. - Staff