- Mountain lion sightings in Mapleton prompt neighborhood alert and safety measures.
- Wilber family reports cougar encounter, raising concerns for local children.
- Authorities set traps, advise vigilance, and provide safety tips to prevent conflicts.
MAPLETON — A quiet Mapleton neighborhood is on edge after multiple mountain lion sightings, including one involving a mother and cub spotted just feet from a family home.
It all began nearly three weeks ago when the Wilber family saw an adult cougar and its cub in their yard. Since then, the larger cat has returned, most recently seen lurking near the family's chicken coop, nestled under a canoe.
Homeowner Jean Wilber said she believes there are at least three cougars roaming the area. Her home security camera captured one of the younger cats, and her husband had a close encounter with it, she said.
"The one that he saw was younger, and it was about 10 feet away from my daughter," Wilber said.
The Wilbers live on a street teeming with children.
"From right here to not even a block (away), there's 26 kids," Wilber added.
Most of them are staying indoors until the cats are found and relocated.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and Mapleton police have been working with the family to track the animals. A trap baited with meat has been set in the backyard, and Wilber's husband even followed the larger cougar one night, but it vanished before authorities could arrive.
"Cougars are wild animals — you can't say what they are going to do and what they're not going to do," Wilber warned. "They're going to go after pets, and cats, and chickens, and toddlers."
Authorities are urging residents to stay vigilant, keep pets indoors, and report any sightings immediately.
DWR offers tips to help prevent conflicts with cougars:
- Do not hike or jog alone.
- Maintain awareness in cougar country while hiking or jogging and avoid using headphones that block out your surroundings.
- Travel in groups and keep everyone together, including children and dogs.
- Make noise while hiking to alert cougars of your presence.
- Leave the area if you find a dead animal, especially deer or elk, since it could be a cougar kill.
- If you live in an area near deer habitat, do not leave children outside unattended, especially at dawn and dusk.
- As a deterrent, install outside and motion-sensitive lighting around your property.
- Trim vegetation and remove wood piles to reduce hiding places for wildlife.
- Bring pets and livestock inside at night or secure them in a barn or kennel with a top.
If you do encounter a cougar, DWR suggests:
- Never run from a cougar, since that could trigger the cougar's instincts to chase.
- Maintain eye contact.
- Pick up children and pets or keep them very close.
- Stand up tall.
- Do not crouch or squat.
- Make yourself look bigger by raising and waving your arms or jacket above your head.
- Talk firmly in a loud voice, back away slowly and leave the area.
- Fight back if you are attacked. Protect your head and neck.
- If you are aggressive enough, the cougar will probably flee.
