Mountain lion shot dead after middle school is put on lockdown, Colorado police say
A mountain lion roamed near a middle school in Colorado — and officers shot it dead.
It happened the morning of Friday, Nov. 8, and the Greeley Police Department shared information about the incident in a Nov. 12 post on Facebook.
The department responded to reports of a mountain lion near the James Madison STEAM Academy K-8 school campus, the department said in the post.
The school district put the campus on lockdown so no one could enter or leave the building while Greeley police coordinated with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the department said. The police also issued a shelter in place order for the area and tried to contain the animal to keep it away from the school and pedestrians.
The mountain lion tried “to break out of the containment area,” and an officer shot it dead, the department said.
“The Greeley Police officer acted in an abundance of caution, particularly given the close proximity of children and families in the area,” the department said. “Fortunately, no civilians or officers were injured.”
Officials lifted the perimeter at the school and the shelter in place order, the department said.
Several people shared their frustration that the animal was killed in the comments section.
“Wait so an officer killed it bc it left the perimeter? That’s honestly so sad n senseless,” someone said.
“Poor baby was probably terrified… it didn’t need to die,” another person said.
“Better the cat than a child,” someone replied.
Many wondered why animal control officers couldn’t have tranquilized it instead.
“While I appreciate the concern for safety, I don’t understand why it was a shoot to kill situation,” someone said, asking why officers couldn’t tranquilize and relocate the mountain lion. “This is so heartbreaking.”
Some suggested the police department might not carry tranquilizers the way Colorado Parks and Wildlife likely would, and some pointed out the wildlife agency couldn’t make it in time.
Others thanked the department for keeping the community — and students at the school — safe.
“Thank you for problem solving an unusual and dangerous situation,” someone said.
“I’m sad about the Mountain Lion but I understand that you guys did what needed to be done to protect people,” another person said.
“What a sad outcome,” someone else said.
Greeley is about a 65-mile drive northeast from Denver.
It’s rare to see mountain lions in Greeley, but when the animals do show up they’re “often following waterways in search of food,” the department said.
What to do if you see a mountain lion
Mountain lions are typically “calm, quiet and elusive,” according to the National Park Service. While attacks involving mountain lions are rare, they are possible.
“Even so, the potential for being killed or injured by a mountain lion is quite low compared to many other natural hazards,” the National Park Service said on its website. “There is a far greater risk, for example, of being killed in an automobile accident with a deer than of being attacked by a mountain lion.”
Officials said there are some things you can do to prevent a mountain lion encounter from becoming an attack.
Stay calm and back away slowly.
Face the lion and stand up straight.
Don’t approach a mountain lion, especially if it’s with kittens.
Don’t run. It could stimulate a mountain lion’s chase instincts.
Pick up small children so they don’t panic or run away.
Don’t bend over or crouch down.
Throw things at the mountain lion if it continues to move toward you.
If the mountain lion attacks, fight back using anything around you.
Report all sightings, encounters or attacks to local park rangers or law enforcement.
This story was originally published November 14, 2024 at 2:56 PM with the headline "Mountain lion shot dead after middle school is put on lockdown, Colorado police say."
