Mountain lion sightings have border city on edge

McALLEN, Texas ( Border Report ) — Officials in Laredo are warning residents after the reported sightings of suspected mountain lions in the past weeks.

On July 12, Laredo police and an officer with Texas Parks and Wildlife shot a mountain lion after it was found near a woodshop in a resident’s backyard.

Then two more mountain lions were reported Monday spotted near a middle school in Laredo, police told Border Report.

That prompted the police department to issue a post on Facebook warning residents to be vigilant when out and about.

“We have received information about 2 mountain lions sightings today, and they have been confirmed. We have officers in the area near where they were seen,” the Facebook post Monday says. “We are providing this information out of an abundance of caution. We are working diligently to confirm the location of the animals. If you live near this area, please take necessary precautions and report any sightings immediately to 9-1-1.”

However officials with the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife, which are investigating the sightings, on Wednesday issued a statement saying that cameras set up in the area show the two suspected animals to likely be dogs.

“After initial patrols and review of security camera images, it was determined the animals in the video were most likely dogs and not mountain lions. Additionally, animal tracks found on site were most consistent with those made by dogs. Out of an abundance of caution, TPWD staff decided to put trail cameras in the area to monitor for any potential mountain lion presence,” according to a joint statement by TPWD and Laredo Police.

Officials said when the cameras were being installed on Tuesday, wildlife officials spotted the animals as “two light colored dogs that are very similar to the size and build of the animals caught on the video and images the day before.”

Laredo Police spokesman Joey Espinoza told Border Report on Wednesday that they’re not experts on animals and were only going on what the public was telling them.

“There had been a mountain lion about three weeks ago that was found and shot and killed in a residential area. It was found in the backyard of a residence. So that’s why we’re taking precautions and just creating an advisory, more than anything, just as as a precaution,” Espinoza said.

Espinoza says the mountain lion had been shot and killed after it became aggressive and tried to attack officers. The animal had been confined in a space and officials were waiting for a tranquilizer “when the animal became aggressive and charged at officers,” he said.

The police post warns residents that mountain lions “like to hide in tall brush. We recommend taking precautions if you have any domestic animals or livestock.”

Officials with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department say they will continue to monitor the area and are working with Laredo police “to make sure all citizens are aware of any changes to the situation.”

Mountain lions — also known as the cougar, puma and panther — are a large tan cat species native to the Americas. Males can weigh over 200 pounds and females can weigh up to 140 pounds, according to the National Wildlife Federation .

Espinoza says mountain lions are found in the area, including south of the border in Mexico. He says there has been a lot of construction in the area where the mountain lion was found and that could be affecting their habitat and drawing them out.

“We live in an area close to the river. The demographic seems like it’s their habitat. But there has been a lot of construction going on, and they’re developing subdivisions or clearing out land. So, I mean, these animals are just possibly moving into the city,” he said.

Sandra Sanchez can be reached at SSanchez@BorderReport.com.

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