MISSOULA – State wildlife officials are trying to capture and kill a mountain lion that stalked a 4-year-old child at the Harpers Lake fishing access site just north of the Clearwater junction.
Fish, Wildlife and Parks biologist Jay Kolbe said Thursday a woman who was camping at the lake reported the mountain lion was crouched and watching one of her children from a distance of about 20 feet Monday night. The woman said the lion wasn’t frightened away by yelling.
FWP regional manager Mike Thompson says wildlife conflict specialist Bob Wiesner planned to camp at the fishing access site through the weekend to discuss the situation with campers and respond to any sightings. Thompson says the cat’s unusual and aggressive behavior led to the decision to capture and kill it.