Mountain lion sighted in Firth?
FIRTH, Idaho (KIFI) - A man in Firth, Idaho says he spotted a mountain lion on his property.
This isn't the first time Tyler Duysen has encountered a cougar near his home.
Last year, a pair of puma's made their den in a ditch just off his property. Idaho Fish and Game eventually had to shoot the animal after several of Duysen's cats were taken.
"I think it was probably the mate to the other one last year because it was here at the same time as the other one was," Duysen said. "But it was chased out of the area when Fish and Game came out and shot the other lion. And so I think it just came back because I already knew the area."
"I'm not so worried about the cats," Duysen said. "You know, cats, obviously, they're near and dear to my heart because they're pets. But I'm more worried because the school is literally just down the road. So I'm more worried about the local residents and the children in the area."
But according to Idaho Fish and Game, no one has contacted them about a mountain lion sighting in that area.
Brower adds mountain lions don't travel with mates. They're polygamous, and it's not very typical for them to build dens.
"We do get false reports on occasion, but we get some very valid reports as well. So one sighting is not always a concern depending on where that sighting was, if it's, you know, somewhere near a very populated area that can be a concern for us. But what's more concerning is that when we have a cat that shows up multiple times over multiple days and multiple locations," Brower said.
Fish and game also tells us if you do see a mountain lion in your area that concerns you, you can always contact the nearest fish and game regional office.
Unless you do, they can’t verify a claim nor can they respond appropriately.
Fish and game also tells us to remain aware of your pets if you are concerned about mountain lions in your area.
They suggest you only let your animals out when its light out and use things like motion activated flood lights to scare off predators.
To learn more or to report a mountain lion sighting in your area, click HERE.
