The Somersett area has had a recent spike in sightings of mountain lions and bobcats. Gretchen Donchez took some pictures of a pair of bobcats as they casually walked along the top of her backyard fence, last week.
"The first one had already dropped down into our neighbor's backyard and the second one was just kind of looking at me, almost like he was like 'Ehh', and then he slowly went over the side of the fence," Donchez said. "Really nonchalant, casual."
Experts say residents shouldn't have to worry about a wildcat attacking their children, but that it is important to pay close attention to your small pets. That was something Donchez thought about, too.
"It was shocking," Donchez said. "They were beautiful, but at first, I was like 'Wow, they're gorgeous' and I was like 'Oh my gosh. Where's our dogs? We have two little toy poodles with a doggy door."
Sightings of wildcats are more common on the edges of town and in the foothills.
"They're living up in what used to be wildlife habitat," Chris Healy, NDOW Public Information Officer said. "We tend to move up the foothills here when we develop, here in Nevada."
Mountain lions and bobcats can be found throughout Nevada. They might look intimidating but Healy says they are not as much of a threat as coyotes.
"Coyotes tend to see humans as a source of food, whether it be dog food, left on a porch, whether it be cats or small ornamental dogs that are out in backyards," Healy said.
Healy says there are usually many more sightings of wildlife during the spring, but not because more animals make their way into neighborhoods. It is because more people go outdoors, so they see animals that they probably wouldn't see during the winter months. Wild animals generally follow the water source, which is usually where the food is, too. Since this year has had so much precipitation, more water is available in the mountains.
"That'll spread the animals out," Healy said. "We should see a boom in rabbits and field mice and field rats, and that should give the coyotes and rattlesnakes plenty of chance to make their living without having to come in so close to human habitation. I'm not saying that you're not going to see them but I think they'll be more spread out."
Healy says wildcats are usually just passing through areas, not setting up territory. That comes as a relief to residents like Donchez.
"They're beautiful animals," Donchez said. "I love them. I would never hurt them but I wish they would stay out of my yard."
According to the Mountain Lion Foundation, it is rare to see a mountain lion in the wild. The California Department of Fish and Game say that mountain lion sightings near residences are not seen as a public safety concern a long as the lion is not showing aggressive behavior toward people.
As a precaution, a letter was emailed to residents at Somersett with a link of safety tips if a mountain lion is encountered.
Following is the letter:
Good afternoon Somersett Residents,
There have been sightings of two mountain lions on the trail near Autumn Ridge and Logan Trail. Please be aware and mindful of pets and personal safety while enjoying the great outdoors!
Please refer to the link below for safety tips during a mountain lion encounter.
Mountain Lion Encounter Safety
Thank you,
SOA Staff
