A mountain lion found resting in a tree near Denver forced a temporary road closure in Westminster, Colorado, on Tuesday, September 15th, as Colorado Parks and Wildlife worked to safely remove the animal from the area.
The Westminster Police Department reported Tuesday that Eaton Street between 112th Avenue and 113th Avenue was closed after the animal was discovered in a tree. Nearby residents were notified while Colorado Parks and Wildlife responded to the scene.
Police urged people to avoid the area and warned residents not to approach the the big cat while wildlife officials worked to resolve the situation.
Mountain Lion Safely Tranquilized
The situation was resolved later Tuesday when CPW safely tranquilized the mountain lion. According to Westminster Police, the animal will be relocated, and the roadway was reopened following the operation.
Mountain lions are native to Colorado and can occasionally travel through developed areas while moving between habitat. Their presence in communities can create difficult situations for residents and wildlife officials, particularly when an animal remains in a populated area.
CPW advises people who encounter a mountain lion to remain calm, avoid approaching it, and provide the animal with an opportunity to move away.
What To Do During A Mountain Lion Encounter
People who encounter one of these big cats should make themselves appear larger, maintain eye contact, and slowly move away while facing the animal. People should not run, approach the animal, or attempt to corner it.
The Westminster encounter ended with the animal safely removed and relocated. The incident also highlights how Colorado’s expanding communities can overlap with habitat used by one of the state’s most recognizable wild animals.