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Category: Local News Releases Local News Releases
Published: 04 October 2017 04 October 2017

Silver City, NM — The Gila National Forest received a report of a possible mountain lion sighting in the drainage near the Cherry Creek Campground on the Silver City Ranger District. Educational and cautionary signs will be posted at the campground.

This is a "watch out" situation. Encounters with mountain lions are rare, but understanding their behavior can enhance your safety. Mountain lions tend to spend the day in dense cover and be out more at dawn and dusk. We have a responsibility to be sensible and be aware, not afraid. If you were to encounter a mountain lion – the best way to ensure that both you and the lion leave safely is to back away slowly, while continuing to look as big and intimidating as possible, leaving the lion avenues of escape. Most wild animals want to avoid humans.

For more information on the behavior and identification of mountain lions, NM Game and Fish has a Cougar Education Booklet at http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/hunting/information-by-animal/big-game/cougar/.

If you were to see a mountain lion, we advise that you report it to the Gila National Forest at 575.388.8201.

For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/gila.