Authorities in Omaha, Nebraska, have launched a search for a mountain lion that was captured on a home security camera wandering around a residential area. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission reported that the sighting occurred at approximately 4:15 a.m. local time (5:15 a.m. ET) in southwest Omaha.
Following the report, law enforcement and wildlife experts from the commission initiated a search operation to locate the elusive animal. However, their efforts have not yet yielded any results.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Mountain Lion Response Plan dictates that if a mountain lion is found within the confines of a municipality and can be safely dealt with, it will be killed to prioritize public safety. Despite this measure, the commission stressed that mountain lion attacks are rare.
In the event of encountering a mountain lion, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service strongly advises against approaching the animal. The agency provides guidelines on how to handle such situations safely.
Mountain lions, which are native to Nebraska, were eliminated from the state by the 1890s. However, they later made a natural return through expansion from populations in Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Presently, these magnificent creatures can typically be found in three areas in Nebraska: the Pine Ridge, Niobrara River Valley, and Wildcat Hills.
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To manage the mountain lion population and ensure long-term sustainability, the commission authorized mountain lion hunting in the Pine Ridge area starting in 2014. This approach allows for hunting opportunities while maintaining a focus on the species’ welfare.
