In Erie, Colorado, police are telling folks a mountain lion hopped a fence and grabbed somebody’s little dog. This incident highlights a growing problem in many communities.
What happened?
The call came into Erie police just after midnight Friday, according to 9 News. A likely mountain lion attack happened right near the Erie Air Park area, located just east of Erie’s airport. A small dog was believed to have been taken from its backyard. An animal control officer is investigating.
While police get how alarming this sounds, they also pointed out mountain lions do live around Erie. They’re native to Colorado and use the open spaces near town.
Why is this concerning?
It feels like these stories are popping up more, putting families on edge. Is it just bad luck? Experts think it’s bigger than that. As towns spread, wild animals get squeezed into smaller areas with less food. The stress of a changing climate adds to it — worsening droughts and wildfires that destroy the food sources mountain lions need, pushing lions closer, explained the Mountain Lion Foundation.
A BBC report confirms these climate-driven resource shortages boost human-wildlife conflicts globally. Hungry animals start looking for any meal. Pets and even small unattended children can become targets of opportunity…