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The Nebraska Humane Society is investigating a report of a mountain lion near the Elkhorn area of Omaha this week, though the sighting has not been confirmed.
According to Mark Langan of the Nebraska Humane Society, officials are patrolling the area near 207th and Rawhide Road, south of West Dodge Road, in response to a recent mountain lion sighting reported by residents.
“We treat every sighting as the real thing,” Langan said.
Although mountain lions don't pose much risk to people, he suggested keeping an eye on outdoor pets.
If the residents did see a mountain lion — also called a cougar, catamount or puma — Langan said he doubted the animal would still be around the Elkhorn area.
“They sometimes travel 30 to 40 miles a day,” he said. “They don't stay in the same place for very long.”
There have been nine mountain lion sightings reported in the Omaha metropolitan area this year, Langan said. None has been confirmed.
No sighting has been confirmed since a mountain lion was hit by a vehicle on Interstate 80 near Gretna on Nov. 6, 2005.
Mountain lion sightings can be reported to 444-7800, ext. 1.
Contact the writer:
444-3110, joel.fulton@owh.com
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