A conversation with a mountain lion biologist after cat sightings near Valentine

VALENTINE, Neb. - A couple of recent mountain lion sightings in and near Valentine prompted the Valentine Police Department to remind residents to take safety precautions.

A Valentine police officer reported seeing a mountain lion cross the road near the Valentine City Park Sunday night. A camper at the park also spotted the animal.

Collin Spence, a mountain lion biologist with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, has been searching the area for signs of the cat.

“Especially if that cat would have made a kill in the area, it would be potentially looking to come back here to continue feeding on that kill,” Spence said.

Just two nights earlier, a family a few miles away saw a mountain lion right outside their front door. Spence says it’s possible it was the same animal, though there’s no confirmation.

“Usually when we see stuff like this happen, it’s younger cats that are dispersing and finding their own place to be,” Spence said. “They’re super territorial animals, so when they leave Mom, they’ve got to go out into the world and find their own spot away from other cats.”

Officials recommend bringing pet food indoors, walking in groups in areas where sightings have been reported, and bringing small pets inside at night.

“They usually will come around people and realize they don’t want to be here,” Spence said, adding that he hopes the cat has already moved on.