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The west Texas border town of Presidio was put on high alert last week when a large mountain lion was spotted roaming the streets and making itself comfortable until two officers found it and ran the puma out of town like old school law men chasing a bandit.
Last week, the Presidio Police Department posted about the big cat sighting on their Facebook page along with a picture of the mountain lion effortlessly scaling what appears to be a 7 or 8 foot fence.
In their crime report, the Presidio PD wrote that they’d received a call from a lioness on April 9th and the puma was wandering around Park Bouldevard inside the town of Presidio. Two Presidio PD officers were called to the scene along with a member from Animal Control.
Presidio Police Department
The large mountain lion was spotted “hiding in a stretch hallway between an apartment and a fence.” When the puma noticed it was being pursued by the officers it decided to take the scenic route on the way out of town…
The big cat “ran away all through the city streets, crossing US Highway 67,” going into either a neighborhood or nearby town named Puerto Rico before booking it off into the wilderness and it hasn’t been seen from since but the local officers are askig everyone in the area to exercise caution.
Presidio sits directly on the border with Mexico so this rogue mountain lion could quite possibly have hopped the border. The town is also on the Western edge of Big Bend Ranch State Park where Texas mountain lions have been spotted in the past taking down deer in front of park visitors.
Look at the size of these paws!
Presidio Police Department
Local NewsWest9 provided guidance to locals on what to do if they encounter the puma. It is believed the mountain lion is still in or around the West Texas town and they exercise caution, particularly at night.
Midland Zoo Director Jason Green told NewsWest9 “they are big cats. They can get to 120-130 pounds with the males. And so they are predators. And so you do have to be cautious. You know, when they’re in that area. So be responsible with your pets and small children especially out early in the morning and late at night. You just need to be aware of your surroundings at all times. If you see one, just try to stay calm. Don’t turn away from them. Don’t run away from them. You know, pick up your kids or your pets and just kind of slowly back and, you know, usually more often than not if you give them an exit, they’ll take it.”
Texas Parks and Wildlife also offer up tips in this instructional video on how to avoid a disastrous situation:
The same tips can be used in any region inhabited by mountain lions and not just West Texas. It is important to always exercise caution and keep your head on a swivel.