Trap catches lion and Park employee

A mountain lion and a Glacier National Park employee were recently caught in a trap set for wolves just outside the Park’s southwestern boundary.

The seasonal employee, who was conducting wildlife research, reported seeing the trapped mountain lion on Jan. 19 along the Middle Fork of the Flathead River near Harrison Creek.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wildlife specialist Erik Wenum responded to the scene and darted and released the mountain lion. He also cited the trapper for exceeding the amount of exposed bait permitted by wolf trapping regulations.

The next day, the Park employee and a Park ranger returned to the scene to investigate the incident. The employee at that time stepped on another trap, which caught the heel of his waders. He wasn’t hurt.

Park spokesman Denise Germann said to the best of their knowledge, the wolf traps were set outside the Park’s boundary which is the high-water mark along the north bank of the Middle Fork.