Video captures mountain lion in Texas backyard; wildlife department confirms sighting

A mountain lion was spotted in Texas last week, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department confirmed, marking the most recent reported sighting of the animal that has previously caused disagreement between residents and wildlife officials over how frequently they are observed in the state.

The big cat was sighted in the backyard of a house in western Frisco, near Lake Lewisville, TPWD said in a news release Thursday, adding the sighting was reported on Monday, Nov. 4.

The wildlife dept. said it is actively monitoring the area and residents have been requested to report any additional mountain lion sightings and encounters to local authorities or to TPWD Urban Wildlife Biologist, Rachel Richter, at rachel.richter@tpwd.texas.gov.

"It is likely that this mountain lion is just passing through and will not stay in the area for an extended period of time," the wildlife department said.

The video of the mountain lion was captured around 4:30 a.m. on Nov. 1 by a Frisco resident Brent Blackwell's backyard camera, he told CBS News Texas.

"When I woke up, I had a notification, so I checked it and I watched it again just like that, a bobcat," Blackwell told the media outlet. "I zoomed in, and you could see the really long tail. And that's when I was like, that's no bobcat."

Mountain lions in Texas

Also called cougars, pumas, panthers, painters, and catamounts, mountain lions are found throughout the Trans-Pecos in Texas, as well as the brushlands of south Texas and portions of the Hill Country, according to the Texas Wildlife Department's website, "though dispersing individuals can move long distances and can show up far from areas with resident populations."

Residents have long argued that mountain lions are a common sight in Texas, but the wildlife department says that most potential sightings end up being bobcats, foxes and even domestic cats.

Mountain lions rarely create conflict with people and attacks are extremely rare, "with fewer than 30 confirmed fatal mountain lion attacks on people in North America in the last 100 years," TPWD said, adding there are no records of a confirmed fatal attack on a person by a wild mountain lion in Texas.

Mountain lions usually have light, tawny brown fur that can appear gray or almost black, depending on light conditions, the department says.

What to do if you encounter a mountain lion

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department recommends the following tips to keep in mind if you encounter a mountain lion:

• Do not approach the lion.
• Don't run. Stay calm and move slowly.
• Face the lion and remain in an upright position. Back away slowly and do not turn your back on the lion.
• Pick up all children off the ground immediately.
• Do everything to make yourself appear larger. Do not crouch down or try to hide.
• If the lion turns aggressive, throw rocks, sticks, or anything you can get your hands on.
• If the lion attacks, fight back. Fighting back can drive off lions.

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.