Mountain Lion Settles In Jerome

by Nick Coons
Oct 8, 2003

You've probably heard about it on the news or read it in the papers recently, even though it's been an issue for several months now. A brave mountain lion has made it's way into the Town of Jerome during the night and is running off with house cats. It's not unusual for wildlife, such as coyotes and bobcats, to come into Jerome during the night. The concerns began when residents saw the lion napping, literally, at their front porch.

Even though there are no reports of mountain lions ever killing anyone in Arizona

Arizona	(air-i'-ZON-u')
The State of Arizona comprises the extreme south-western portion of the United States. It is bounded on the north by Utah, on the east by New Mexico, on the south by Mexico, and on the west by California and Nevada.

, but there have been a few attacks on children under the age of six. The town has complained to the Game and Fish Department, but so far carrying off cats is not a concern. The problem I see is that if the lion is allowed to stay in town and nothing is done to remove it, it's going to eventually lose its fear of humans, and may decide to go after larger prey.

In addition, the seasons are now changing. Winter is falling upon us -- It's going to get darker sooner, and children are going to be waiting at bus stops to go to school before the sun rises.

One resident found the lion on his porch. When he shot it in the butt with his BB gun, the lion didn't even flinch. Mountain lions are not endangered species, and it is legal to hunt them in Arizona

Arizona	(air-i'-ZON-u')
The State of Arizona comprises the extreme south-western portion of the United States. It is bounded on the north by Utah, on the east by New Mexico, on the south by Mexico, and on the west by California and Nevada.

with the proper tags. Some of the residents feel, however, that removing the lion from the town is a short-term solution, as another one will simply take its place. Wildlife seems to come as it pleases here, just as it did centuries ago before the town existed. But even more so because of the massive developments throughout Yavapai county which force the wildlife from its current habitat.

Similar situations have occured over the past couple of years in Flagstaff, and two lions on two seperate occasions were killed. It seems that a solution is still in the works. But without putting a chain-link fence around the entire town, the town is not likely to persuade wildlife to stay out.