Mountain Lion Caught on Home Security Camera
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Serving Rio Blanco County Since 1885 w Vol. 136, No. 10 w October 8, 2020 w ht1885.com w $100 SOUTH FORK ... Mountain lion caught on home security camera By CAITLIN WALKER up into the mountains, no front [email protected] range lions.” The best thing to do if you spot RBC I Although Rio Blanco a lion in town limits (or happen to County is in the heart of mountain catch one on camera) is to notify lion territory, in-person sightings Colorado Parks and Wildlife or in populated areas are exceeding- the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s ly rare, happening only once or Office on the next business day. twice a year at most. With more You can also contact the Meeker residents investing affordable and Police Department or the Rangely reliable home security systems, Police Department. If, however, however, the cat may be out of you spot the same lion multiple the proverbial bag. times in the same location or Anita Bineau and husband you see it exhibiting aggressive James, new residents to Meeker, behavior or attacking a pet, you were awakened Saturday around should of course notify authori- 2:30 a.m. by a thump outside, ties immediately. DID YOU KNOW? “like something falling off You are a thousand times the roof,” Bineau told the HT. more likely to be struck by light- Lack of light, not Thinking it was a branch from ning than attacked by a mountain changing weather, a willow tree, they went back to lion, but if you ever do encounter is the main reason sleep. The next morning, they a lion in person, do not turn and leaves change color checked their home security run. This may activate the ani- camera footage and found some- mal’s prey instinct. Make noise so in the fall. As days thing quite unexpected – an adult the animal knows where you are shorten, trees stop mountain lion stalking something and make yourself look as large producing chloro- on the back deck of their home at as possible – “make sure they phyll, the chemical Sixth and Cleveland. know you’re pretty big and it’s which makes leaves Bineau posted the video to an going to be a formidable task,” area Facebook page, where it was deVergie said. This will likely green. This exposes shared multiple times, with many scare the animal off. In fact, a yellow and orange residents expressing surprise that 2017 completed in California pigments. In some the animal would come so far showed that mountain lions leaves, veins con- into town. would abandon their kills and run necting leaves to the There have also been reports at just the sound of human voices. of sightings at 5th and Cedar If the lion keeps coming toward tree start to close off streets as well as along 12th you, however, back away slowly as well, trapping sug- Street in the past few weeks. while maintaining eye contact, ar and turning some CPW Area Wildlife Manager and be ready to fend them off if leaves bright red. Bill deVergie can’t recall the last they attack. Don’t make it easy, time there was a documented lion “fight, be aggressive,” deVergie sighting in Meeker. “I wouldn’t said. Try to get to protection: a say it’s rare but I would say it’s car, your home, etc. uncommon,” he said via tele- As with everything, the inter- CAITLIN WALKER PHOTOS phone. Most likely, the lion was net has a lot to say about ways to This year's fall color display is a nice reminder that everything about 2020 isn't the worst. Above, some of following food – deer moving keep big cats off your property, the sights from partway up Cliff Lakes Trail #1831 in the White River National Forest. The trail was recent- through town, the flock of turkeys however most of the ‘remedies’ ly spruced up by the Blanco Ranger District with help from the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps and Colorado who waddle their way through presented online aren’t useful at Mountain Club. the area regularly, or perhaps a all, according to experts. Some small pet. “I can’t remember that of the more interesting ideas we we’ve had any attacks on pets came across while researching recently or in the recent past,” this story included bringing an deVergie said. “ornery mule” with you every- The animal could also have where, sprinkling mothballs or been seeking fresh water, espe- black pepper around your proper- NATIONAL NIGHT OUT ... cially with the Western slope ty line, and our personal favorite: in severe drought. Or, it could growing “a really great mullet” have been moving through it’s to protect your neck in case an regular territory (lions routinely animal were to attack you from claim areas of 100 square miles behind. or more) or just passing through. Mullets aside, the best defense Earlier this year, the Rangely is pretty simple. “Be logical,” Police Department reported a deVergie said, “and take care of mother and two cubs spotted your pets. Most lions will not in the area of Ridge Road and attack large dogs as often; they advised caution. could be a formidable challenge. One rumor is that lions who If you have small pets and small do end up in Meeker or Rangely dogs make sure they come in at limits are relocated from the night.” If they do go out at night, Front Range and are already keep an eye on them. accustomed to humans, posing You can reach Colorado Parks a greater threat. deVergie said and Wildlife at 970-878-6090, Rio that’s not the case at all. “I’ve Blanco County Sheriff’s Office never heard of anybody relocat- at 970-878-9620, Meeker Police ing a lion to this part of the area Department at 970-878-5555 or at all. Most of the time if we do Rangely Police Department at any relocations, it’s gonna be way 970-675-8466. ROXIE FROMANG PHOTO National Night Out is routinely held on the first Tuesday in August but was delayed by the pandemic. This year the Rangely Police Department, with help from the Town of Rangely, the Rangely Area Chamber of Commerce, Rangely EMS, and Rangely Fire Department, hosted their National Night Out on Tuesday, Oct. 6. The event enhances relationships between neighbors and law enforcement and fosters a sense of com- munity. It provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. Families were delighted by the Care Flight and Classic Air Medical Helicopters on display inside the ball field, as well as the fire trucks, ambulances, and police patrol vehicles available for close inspection by curi- ous children in Elks Park. Rangely Town Manager Lisa Piering, Marketing Coordinator Jeannie Caldwell, and Rangely Area Chamber of Commerce Director McKenzie Webber served dinner prepared by WRBM Recreation and Park District's Tim Webber. A first responder costume contest was held for the children. This year’s first place winners will enjoy a helicopter ride accompanied by a parent. First place was shared by Amariah Whiston and Ian Guzmam. Second place was taken by Adin Whiston, who will get to ride to school in a COURTESY PHOTO police car and home in a fire truck. Other winners were treated to gift cards and cash. Paisley Fernandez An adult mountain lion was caught on a home security camera won third place, Clancy Gilbert fourth place and Gentry Snider fifth place. at 6th and Cleveland last Saturday. Scan the Zapcode with the free Zappar app to watch the video clip. IN THIS ISSUE: n n Wolf Creek Dam project Mitsch Bush interview 8A heading to trial 2A n Local Sports 1B Saturday: 70s/40s n n Opinion 4A Days Gone By 3B n Voter Q &A 6A n Public Notices 6B Sunday: 50s/20s THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING COMMUNITY JOURNALISM! Propane Sales for the White River Valley www.wrenergy.com • 233 6th St., Meeker • 878-9876 u RIO BLANCO HERALD TIMES 2A NEWS Thursday, October 8, 2020 Wolf Creek Dam project heading to trial in Jan. By HEATHER SACKETT ments of state law by showing it Aspen Journalism has a specific plan and intent for the water it says it needs. RBC I A water court case is In 2014 Rio Blanco applied headed toward trial because the for a 90,000 acre-foot conditional state of Colorado and a water con- water-storage right on the White servancy district still cannot agree River and proposed a dam and on whether the district actually reservoir between Rangely and needs the amount of water it claims Meeker, known as the White it does for a large dam and reservoir River storage project or the Wolf project in the northwest corner of Creek project. The district has now the state. reduced that claim to either 66,720 Expert reports from an engi- acre-feet for an off-channel res- CAITLIN WALKER PHOTOS The annual Scrub Shirt Classic drew more than 70 people. Event proceeds fund the local Cancer Screening Fund. Scan the neering firm, an aquatic ecologist ervoir or 72,720 acre-feet for an Zapcode with the free Zappar app to watch a video clip of the running race start. and an economics firm outline how on-channel reservoir. they say the Rio Blanco Water There are two proposed ver- Conservancy District can and will sions of the project: one that would put its water storage rights to bene- construct a dam and reservoir on ficial use.