Two young mountain lions escape 'likely death' thanks to actions by CPW

Two yearling mountain lions got stuck in the spillway of Vallecito Reservoir on Friday, but Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) staff were able to rescue them.

According to an X post by CPW Southwest region, Mike Canterbury, Pine River Irrigation District damtender, was about to release water from the reservoir down the spillway when he noticed the mountain lions. A release of water likely would have killed the lions. Canterbury called CPW and District Wildlife Manager Ty Smith responded.

Smith dangled a rope in front of the mountain lions. One lion held onto the rope to the top of the spillway barrier while it was pulled up, then quickly ran into the woods.

The second lion, however, wouldn't hold onto the rope. It ran down the spillway to where the Los Pinos River continues below the dam. The lion paced around the water's edge and moved into a corner of the spillway, unwilling to swim. Smith climbed into the spillway and finally got the lion interested in the rope. With the rope and a catch pole, CPW staff lifted the lion over the wall and released it. Then, the lion hid under a truck for a few minutes. Fortunately, after everyone backed off and gave the lion some space it ran off in the same direction as the other.

CPW thanked PRID for delaying the dam release, allowing them to rescue the mountain lions.