2 Young Mountain Lions Shot in Montana Town

COLUMBIA FALLS, Mont. (AP) — Authorities say two young mountain lions were killed in separate shootings near a river park in Montana.

The Hungry Horse News reported Wednesday that a resident near River’s Edge Park in Columbia Falls shot a big cat after it was prowling around a house on Aug. 17.

Columbia Falls police then shot the second mountain lion in the same area. The wounded cat ran away.

Police temporarily closed the park adjacent to the Flathead River to look for the carcass, but it wasn’t found.

Police Chief Clint Peters says he’s confident the cat has died.

He says the mountain lions were shot because their presence in a residential area threatened the safety of people and pets.

The carcass of the other mountain lion was handed over to state wildlife officials.

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Information from: Hungry Horse News, http://www.hungryhorsenews.com