Lions spotted roaming town

Residents on the north side of Whitefish are cautioned to keep an eye out for mountain lions roaming the urban landscape.

Numerous lion sightings have been reported to police this week, Police Chief Bill Dial told the Pilot. He says as many as 10 lions have been spotted.

The predators have been seen in lawns and walking down sidewalks near Colorado Avenue and Crestwood.

Residents are encouraged to call police if they spot a lion in town and not to attempt to shoot the animal. The local police number is 863-2420.

Mountain lions are very common in Whitefish, says lion specialist Jim Williams with the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks office in Kalispell.

“If you live near trees, you have lions,” he said. “It’s a matter of if you see them.”

Lions are typically out between dusk and dawn.

“They are very cryptic animals,” he said. “They are adept at not being seen.”

This time of year, fawns are moving with doe deer in a group, sometimes near the urban interface, which could attract lions.

“With deer come the things that eat them,” Williams said. “Deer are a staple of a mountain lion. Sometimes they eat a small dog or cat, too.”

Males kill once or twice a week, and females more often if they have kittens.

FWP typically won’t attempt to trap and move a lion because they often come back to their home range. Male lions roam a range of about 150 miles.

“If you see one today, it doesn’t mean it will be there tomorrow,” Williams said.

Residents who see a cat in an urban area should slowly back away, and be sure not to excite the animal. If it attacks, act aggressively, Williams said.

“Fight back and make yourself look big,” he said.

A female lion can be up to 80 pounds and a male can be 130 pounds.