By Joel Langton
The 830 Times
A large mountain lion was spotted in the Val Verde Park Estates area east of Del Rio early Wednesday morning, and Val Verde County Sheriff Joe Frank Martinez issued a citizens’ advisory for residents of the area.
“It showed up on some people’s property early this morning and we have video proof,” Martinez said. “We don’t want people to panic, but we want them to be aware and keep an eye out.”
Local trappers viewed the video and confirmed it was a mountain lion, Martinez said.
“The Val Verde Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the U.S.D.A. government trapper is working a confirmed sighting of a large mountain lion in the Val Verde Park Estates area near Lisa and
Dennis Drive.
“Any sighting of the mountain lion please call the sheriff’s office at (830) 774-7513 or dial 911.
Sheriff’s personnel will continue to monitor the area,” the advisory concluded.
A very grainy video of the mountain lion can be seen above.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department recommends the following steps.
If you live in an area inhabited by mountain lions, these preventive actions will help you avoid a possible attack:
— Install outdoor lighting in areas where you walk after dark.
— Remove any vegetation a lion could hide in near children’s play areas and your house.
— DO NOT FEED WILDLIFE, including deer. Remember, predators follow prey.
— Keep pets under control. If pets are left outside overnight, confine them to kennels with tops. — Store all garbage securely.
— Hike with others, carry pepper spray and a walking stick, and avoid early morning, dusk and nighttime excursions.
— DO NOT APPROACH a mountain lion to get a better view or picture.
If you encounter a mountain lion:
— Pick up small children to prevent them from running and triggering a rush or attack.
— Stay calm, talk calmly, and slowly back away, keeping eye contact with the mountain lion.
— DO NOT RUN OR TURN YOUR BACK.
— Do what you can to appear LARGER by raising your arms or waving a stick.
— If the lion is aggressive, throw rocks or sticks, and speak firmly and loudly.
— FIGHT BACK if a lion attacks you. Lions can be driven off by fighting back.
— DO NOT PLAY DEAD. Even children have successfully driven off a mountain lion by fighting back.
— Report all aggressive mountain lion behavior.
