Video: Mountain Lion Strolls Along Porch In Estes Park

ESTES PARK, CO — While many home surveillance videos capture wildlife in Colorado's mountains, the images have never been clearer — modern technology now allows us to see wild animals in detail.

A mountain lion recently took a stroll in the moonlight through Stanley Circle in Estes Park, poking around someone's front doorstep, and the resident posted a striking video of the visit Tuesday.

The number of mountain lion sightings in our state's metro areas have been increasing, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Mountain lions rarely attack humans, however, officials said.

Colorado wildlife officials have issued the following tips for mountain lion encounters:

• Go in groups when you walk or hike in mountain lion country, and make plenty of noise to reduce your chances of surprising a lion. A sturdy walking stick is a good idea; it can be used to ward off a lion. Make sure children are close to you and within your sight at all times. Talk with children about lions and teach them what to do if they meet one.
• Do not approach a lion, especially one that is feeding or with kittens. Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation. Give them a way to escape.
• Stay calm when you come upon a lion. Talk calmly and firmly to it. Move slowly.
• Stop or back away slowly, if you can do it safely. Running may stimulate a lion's instinct to chase and attack. Face the lion and stand upright.
• Do all you can to appear larger. Raise your arms. Open your jacket if you're wearing one. If you have small children with you, protect them by picking them up so they won't panic and run.
• If the lion behaves aggressively, throw stones, branches or whatever you can get your hands on without crouching down or turning your back. Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly. What you want to do is convince the lion you are not prey and that you may in fact be a danger to the lion.
• Fight back if a lion attacks you. Lions have been driven away by prey that fights back. People have fought back with rocks, sticks, caps or jackets, garden tools and their bare hands successfully. Remain standing or try to get back up!

Many bobcats and mountain lions are captured on home surveillance cameras in metro Denver and surrounding areas each year. What's the difference between the two animals? Bobcats are smaller — they weigh up to 35 lbs — whereas adult mountain lions weigh around 120 lbs. Bobcats have tufty ears, a stumpy tail and leopard-like spots on their fur.

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