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March 28, 2024

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Mountain lion spotted near Boulder City residential area

Mountain lion sighting

A mountain lion was spotted near Boulder City and residents have been advised to take some precautions to stay safe.

The animal was spotted by a resident near Keys Drive in Hemenway Valley, the city announced Wednesday. The city stressed that while residents are not in immediate danger, steps can be taken to ensure safety.

Those on the city's hiking and biking trails should be aware of their surroundings, the city said. Wild animals usually venture out for food in the early morning and late evening.

Doug Nielsen, spokesman for the Nevada Department of Wildlife in Las Vegas, said mountain lion sightings are "not an everyday occurrence, by any means," but added that the Las Vegas office usually gets one or two reported sightings each year.

When young lions "move out of the nest, so to speak," Nielsen said, people sometimes see them on the edge of town as they search for a place to settle down.

To help residents stay safe, Boulder City provided the following advice from the National Park Service:

- Avoid behavior that may attract a mountain lion. Avoid hiking or jogging alone. Children shouldn't run ahead on a hiking trail.

- If you see a mountain lion: Remain calm. Never run. Report the sighting to the Nevada Department of Wildlife at 702-486-5127.

- If you encounter an aggressive mountain lion: Do all you can to appear large and threatening. Hold your ground. Wave your arms. Shout. Throw rocks if the lion approaches.

If you have a cell phone and feel in immediate danger, call 911 or the Boulder City Police Department at 702-293-9224.

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