Are Mountain Lions Invading East Edmond?
Is there a mountain lion running free in east Edmond?
The answer is a big, fat could be. Harry Hauptman is helping build a home in the Sugar Hill addition near Post Road and State Highway 66. He discovered some tracks nearby that he swears belong to a mountain lion and perhaps a cub. “Another man spotted the cat south of here,” he said.
Kevin Grant, state director of wildlife services with the Oklahoma Agriculture Department said he couldn’t discount Hauptman’s claim without seeing the prints.
“We are in a situation where mountain lions are on the increase but there is not one behind every bush,” he said. “They’re not as common as people think.”
Grant said mountain lions prefer rough, rocky canyon type of country that holds deer, which is their number one choice for dinner.
“We’re starting to see a few more. We think a lot of them are coming out of Texas and Colorado. They cover a tremendous amount of country, even if they were limited, it can be hundred of miles,” he said.
Grant said mountain lions have a very characteristic foot print. “It’s easy to confuse them with a dog’s track in the mud. The claws won’t be showing. They have retractable claws, which is the biggest give away. And the heel pad looks like a W with three distinct lobes on the rear pad.”
A couple of years ago a few northeast Edmond residents reported something was killing their pets. Bobcats and coyotes were blamed and many residents reported seeing large, cat-like animals near their homes.
My advice, if you see a wild animal in your neighborhood call Edmond Animal Welfare at 216-7615 during business hours, or after hours at 359-4494.
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Comments
My dog was attacked a few nights ago just outside of our house. The mountain lion swept him up in his mouth and ran off into the feild across from my house. My friend lives about 2 miles down from us. Her chickens are being killed, and her dogs always bark at night. They had someone come set up traps at her house. They had to get bigger cages cause there were confirmed mountain lion tracks in the area. I miss my dog, but now i’m worried about the safety of the rest of my family.
I was just driving along Memorial road just before the turn onto Midwest blvd, heading to Post Rd, when a BIG cat crossed the road in front of me. My first reaction was “Oh, look a bobcat” and then I realized I was looking at a very long tail, as the cat climbed the embankment to my right. I think I just saw a mountain lion!
This is completely true. About an hour ago my beloved family dog began to yelp and when I stepped on the porch a large mountain lion was attacking him. When I yelled out, he snatched my dog up in his teeth and ran into a field. Whatever the reason for their invasion, it is happening. My children and I are devastated.