A Western Slope campground is closed because a mountain lion is hoarding its kill there, according to the National Parks Service.
Split Mountain Campground, Picnic Area and Green River Access at Dinosaur National Monument in Moffat County is closed for at least two weeks.
Sunday afternoon a mountain lion was seen dragging a dead mule deer into the campground, one of several kills it had stored there, the parks service said today.
“Mountain lions can cache their kills and return to feed for a number of days, and they exhibit defensive behavior around the carcass during that time,” the agency warned.
The animals can hover near the site for up to two weeks, posing a risk to people who come near.
Visitors to other parts of Dinosaur National Monument, or any cougar habitat, should never hike or jog alone, keep children close to adults, keep a clean campsite and leave pets at home, according to the National Parks service.
In an encounter with a mountain lion, people shouldn’t run, but instead try to stare the cougar down, yell and throw things, the service advised. People should pick up children and try to appear larger by waving arms or jackets over their heads, it said.
