Pocatello police are asking residents near Kenneth Place to stay back after a mountain lion was seen in a city neighborhood close to the Latter-day Saints temple. Officers are searching the area, and Idaho Fish and Game has been notified. As of 10:20 a.m. Thursday, the animal had not been located.
What residents should do if they see the cat
Police say people should not approach a mountain lion and should report any sighting to the Pocatello Police Department right away. Idaho Fish and Game advises against running, because running can trigger a chase response. Instead, stand your ground, make yourself look as large as possible, speak firmly and back away slowly while keeping your eyes on the animal. If you are with small children, pick them up so they do not panic and run. If an attack happens, Fish and Game advises fighting back.
Protecting pets and outdoor spaces
Residents in the temple area are also advised to keep pets indoors or closely supervised, especially at dawn, dusk and overnight, when mountain lions are most active. Bringing pet food inside can help avoid drawing wildlife toward homes, since food left outdoors can attract deer and other prey that in turn bring predators nearby.
Why wildlife is turning up in town
Mountain lions are typically secretive and seldom seen, but they sometimes move into neighborhoods that border open country, often while following deer. This year, drought and scarce natural food have pushed wildlife into residential areas across East Idaho in ways officials say are unusual. The Pocatello sighting fits that pattern, though the supplied reporting does not establish how long the animal had been in the area or where it went after it was last seen.