North Texas Man Catches a Mountain Lion in His Backyard

Mountain lion sightings have been on the rise in North Texas in recent years, and one man had a close encounter with one of these big cats in his own backyard.

The man, who lives in the rural community of Princeton, was outside his home when he saw the mountain lion sitting in his backyard. The lion was about the size of a large dog and had a long, tawny coat. The man said the lion didn't seem aggressive, but he was still scared and called the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Game wardens arrived and tranquilized the mountain lion. The lion was then taken to a local animal shelter, where it was examined by a veterinarian. The veterinarian said the lion was healthy and had no injuries.

The lion was eventually released back into the wild in a remote area. Game wardens said they believe the lion was simply looking for food and water and that it posed no threat to humans.

Mountain lion sightings are becoming more common in North Texas as the population of these big cats continues to grow. In 2021, there were more than 100 reported mountain lion sightings in the state, up from just 20 in 2010.

Mountain lions are generally shy and reclusive animals, but they can be dangerous if they feel threatened. If you see a mountain lion in the wild, do not approach it. Instead, back away slowly and make yourself look as large as possible. If the mountain lion charges at you, fight back with anything you can find.

To avoid attracting mountain lions to your property, keep your yard free of debris and food scraps. Also, do not leave pets outside unattended.