Mountain Lions Captured In Pocatello Area

Idaho Fish and Game Department personnel have captured and removed two mountain lions from the Gibson Jack area of Pocatello.

The young mountain lions were very thin and dehydrated. Regional Fish and Game authorities say a female weighed only 15 pounds and the male 20 pounds.

Both were taken to a holding facility, where they are now being monitored for future placement at a zoo, Fish and Game said Friday.

Officials say the lions were observed over Easter weekend in the Gibson Jack area. An investigation determined a house cat had likely been killed by a mountain lion. At that time, authorities believed the lions were moving away from the area into more suitable habitat.

But, on Tuesday, a caller reported his small dog was attacked by a small mountain lion the night before. The dog’s owner and a passing jogger threw rocks to scare the cat away.

Because of its proximity to humans, Fish and Game began setting live traps. But, before the traps could be set, another caller reported a mountain lion attacking a dog near a Gibson Jack residence.

Authorities found the lions Tuesday night on a homeowner’s property where they were darted and removed from the area. A houndsman found no scent trails of any other animals.

Southeast Regional Wildlife Manager Toby Boudreau said it appears the mountain lions lost their mother over the weekend.

“We assume this because these animals appear too young to adequately provide for themselves as evidenced by their poor body conditions, and because it is unusual for mountain lions to feed on loose domesticated animals.”