A mountain lion found in downtown Evergreen on Monday afternoon after it killed a small dog has been euthanized because it was emaciated, and wildlife authorities believed it wouldn’t survive the winter.
“After tranquilizing the mountain lion and bringing it back to a facility near Fairplay, our wildlife officers examined the lion's condition,” said Jason Clay, spokesman for Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s northeast region, which covers Evergreen. “It was an adult but pretty emaciated. Officers estimated its weight at 80 pounds, which is really light for an adult. After consulting with our veterinarian up at our health lab in Fort Collins, we were advised it would be in the best interest of that lion to put it down.”
“A lot of people in Evergreen are upset the lion was put down,” Clay said. “We don't like to see animals put down as well. Our wildlife officers work hard to save many different animals, and we were hoping we could relocate this lion back far away from people, but it is not always the case where everyone can be saved or relocated or taken to a rehabilitation facility.”
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