Clark County
Clark County officials say this mountain lion was captured in a Summerlin neighborhood on Thursday, April 1, 2021. The cat was tranquilized and released in the Spring Mountains.
Saturday, April 3, 2021 | 2 a.m.
The worst thing you can do if you see a mountain lion wandering through your residential Las Vegas neighborhood is to run, said Doug Nielsen, conservation education supervisor at the Nevada Department of Wildlife.
“They are a predator and they are built to chase things,” Nielsen said.
Rather, he recommends making yourself appear as tall as you can and backing away slowly from the large cat. Speak to it calmly, but firmly.
“Something like, ‘Hey, Mr. Lion, you go your way and I’ll go mine.’ Have a conversation with the thing. It’s going to be one-sided, but you’re letting him know you are aware of him,” Nielsen said.
A mountain lion suspected of roaming a Summerlin neighborhood for several weeks was captured Thursday and released into the mountains surrounding Las Vegas, Clark County officials said.
The 60-pound female was spotted about 15 feet up a tree in the Summit Club community, in the area of Town Center Drive and Flamingo Road, officials said. There may have been other sightings since February, officials said.
Nielsen said one reason the mountain lion was discovered in the suburbs is because “we build these master-planned communities adding water, grass ponds and vegetation, which attracts prey species.”
He also said the lion’s mother may have been ready to reproduce again and “she’ll kick the young ones out, and they have to go find (their own) territory.”
That’s worried some residents in the Summerlin area, who fear this isn’t the last of a mountain lion in their neighborhood. That’s especially true of residents with pets.
Nielsen said if you are approached by a mountain lion while walking your dog, don’t crouch down to pick it up because you’ll appear smaller.
“If it starts coming at you, say, ‘Hey, you don’t want to do that.’ Does he understand what you’re saying? No, but he’s going to get the gist,” Nielsen said.
Nielsen said most of the photos of the mountain lion roaming around Summerlin were taken after dark, because they move at night and avoid people. Because of that, he doesn’t necessarily feel they present a pressing safety issue.
“As a general rule, they don’t want anything to do with people,” he said.
There are some things people can do to prevent attracting mountain lions to their neighborhoods.
First and foremost: Don’t feed wildlife, he said. Not only is it bad for them, but it makes them return for more food.
Also, clean up overgrown plants in your yard where a mountain lion can hide. “If they feel like they can hide safely in your yard, they will,” Nielsen said.
