The Park City Police Department received a recent report of a mountain lion sighting in a neighborhood, among other wildlife-related calls.
The agency on Jan. 12 at 7:25 a.m. was told of the mountain lion. The person who contacted the Police Department indicated there was a “mama mountain lion” and two cubs. They were “under” a patio, the police were told. The person said they were not threatened “at the moment,” but they were “worried about neighborhood dogs in the area,” according to public police logs.
The report was logged on Sunnyside Drive, which connects Deer Valley Drive and Mellow Mountain Road. The location is close to the Gambel Oak open space, but it is also in the vicinity of numerous residences.
Mountain lion sightings are rare in Park City, but they stand out since the animals can pose a threat to people and pets.
The police received several other wildlife reports recently. They include:
- On Sunday, Jan. 14, at 12:48 a.m., elk were seen crossing S.R. 248 along the entryway. The police were told the animals were crossing toward Richardson Flat. The police said the elk created a traffic hazard.
- On Friday, Jan. 12, at 7:32 a.m., an unspecified animal or animals were reported along S.R. 248 close to the Park City School District campus.
- On Wednesday, Jan. 10, at 9:43 p.m., an elk herd was seen attempting to cross Kearns Boulevard in the area of Buffalo Bill Drive. The animals were headed toward Prospector. The police said the elk created a traffic hazard.
- On Tuesday, Jan. 9, at 12:10 p.m., a deer carcass was found “in the middle of the soccer field” in the area of Treasure Mountain Junior High School off Kearns Boulevard. Public police logs did not provide details about the cause of death.
There is the possibility of an increase in wildlife sightings with the recent heavy snow. Animals tend to move to lower elevations in search of food when snow accumulates higher.