Video: Warden Rescues Mountain Lion Despite Its Objections
OutdoorHub Reporters 03.10.16
Every encounter with a mountain lion is nerve-wracking, even when they have the disadvantage. At least, that’s the opinion of Utah Division of Wildlife Resources conservation officer Mark Ekins, who filmed this rescue of a cougar last December. The video was only recently released.
“If I wasn’t nervous or started to lack respect for the power of that animal, it could potentially be very dangerous,” Ekins told KSL.com. “I’m nervous and I’m extremely careful when doing it. I’ve probably only done three in my career that were as big as the one you saw. That was a really big one.”
The conservation officer says he was called by a trapper who had accidently snared a large mountain lion during bobcat season. Traps meant for bobcats or other predators will occasionally capture a mountain lion, but they are designed not to harm the animal and it can usually be released safely. When it comes to predators this big however, state wildlife officials encourage trappers to ask for assistance when releasing the animal.
As you can see from the video, the release wasn’t without its nail-biting moments. Also, is it just us, or is the video at a much higher quality than you’d expect? There’s just something about those Utah hills when the sunlight hits it just right.
