March 10, 2023 |
Photo – Mountain Lion Between First Street and the River – Courtesy of Catherine West
Another mountain lion, perhaps the same one, was spotted blocks from where Saratoga residents reported seeing a big cat one month ago.
Early Thursday morning, a mountain lion was seen in the area between East Main and East Saratoga Avenue, not far from the river. Saratoga Police Chief Mike Morris said the animal was limping and appeared to have an injured paw.
Photo – Mountain Lion In Saratoga – Courtesy of Catherine West
Saratoga PD assisted Wyoming Game and Fish with the search. Chief Morris said they followed the bloody paw prints but lost the trail. He said Game Warden Levi Wood told him it is normal for predators to suffer an injury while hunting.
Photo – Paw print compared to hand – Courtesy of Saratoga Police Department
Photo – Bloody Paw Print – Courtesy Catherine West
In early February, a mountain lion was sighted near Hobo Hot Pools. A deer carcass was in the vicinity. Searchers did not find and neutralize the predator. Chief Morris said more sightings have been reported since then.
Chief Morris said more than one big cat may be in town. He said his office has received multiple calls from people who say they’ve seen a hurt mountain lion.
The area where the lion was sighted is approximately one half mile from the hot springs. Despite several mountain lion reports, Chief Morris said the location of yesterday’s sighting makes it likely to be the same animal that was seen last month.
The heavy snow has taken a toll on the area’s wildlife. According to the Wyoming Game and Fish website, biologists are seeing increased big game mortality across the state. With less prey to hunt, predators venture into human occupied spaces in search of an easy meal. Chief Morris said having a mountain lion town is dangerous. Authorities will continue to search for the animal.
If you see a mountain lion in town, do not approach it. Call the Saratoga Police Department at 326-8316 or Wyoming Game and Fish’s injured animal hotline at 1-877-943-3847.
