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Mountain Lion Blamed For Killing Livestock
A Central Texas man is keeping a closer eye on his livestock after he says a mountain lion killed one of his emus.
Reporter: By Adam FoxEmail Address: adam.fox@kwtx.com |
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63 Comments 
(July 21, 2008)--An Axtell man claims that a mountain lion killed one of his emus.
Gerald Linton says he knew something was wrong when he spotted an emu out of its pen and wandering on the road.
He grabbed a rifle and a flashlight and sent to search his emu pens, where he found the carcass of one of the birds with its neck pulled through the wire fence and its head missing.
The rest of the body was still inside the pen.
Linton says the mountain lion came back later that night and ate the rest of the bird.
Linton's neighbors told him they saw the mountain lion walk up from the tree line along their property.
Linton said the neighbors followed behind the mountain lion from about 50 feet away until it headed into thick brush.
Game wardens told Linton they agree that it was a mountain lion that attacked the emu and not a smaller cat or feral pigs, which are known to be a problem in the Axtell area.
Baylor Environmental Biology Professor Heidi Markcum says mountain lions do live in McLennan County, but that only a handful have been officially identified and documented by the Texas Parks and Wildlife department.
Markcum said mountain lions typically don't prey on livestock but said it does happen, especially when the quantity of available prey drops or when water is scarce.
Residents who do see mountain lions are encouraged to contact Texas Parks and Wildlife and are warned not to attempt to capture or follow the animal.
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Latest Comments
This comment is in regards to black panthers mountain lions or whatever you call them. I moved to Bosqueville about 2 years ago and I seen a large black cat ini a field behind my house. About 5 months ago on the MCC tennis court my boyfriend and his sister seen a large black cat. So we have cougars, mountain lions, panthers or whatever you want to call them. People need to be aware of this for their own safety and the safety of their children.
Contrary to the beleifs of many that are "in the know" of the subjects of mountain lions,panthers or whatever they are called,my wife & I live on top of a little mesa overlooking the Brazos river,we have heard the blood curtling screams of these cats,as well as seen one about 6:30 am crossing the driveway in front of our home! This cat was as large as a 3 month old calf & as black as the Ace of Spades!! It's tail was a good 3 foot long as it slowly meandered into the thick brush behind our house. It has long been an argument with the powers that be that there are no black panthers in Texas, to that I say an emphatic B.S.!!!! There sure as hell is one in northern Bosque county,this old man has seen him & heard him as well as seeing it's tracks that are larger than my hand!!They are here, but they are very good at remaining as hidden from man as possible,there is some mountainous areas up in the Nolan river where they seem to den up, there are several caves where they stay hidden.
I saw a mountain lion today. It showed up shortly after I began my bbq around 10pm at rogers park. I watched it creep around the brush surrounding the area I was bbq-ing in. After slowly putting out the pit and reloading the car; I turned around to have it across the street watching me. My friend stomped and yelled at it hoping itd run as it wasnt clearly in view. It came closer to get a better look. about a 3ft. distance from us. we backed up to the car doors and got in. I stared it down for about 2 minutes before I decided I was pressing my luck. I left and reported it to the Temple police station, but I'm sure they thought I was a quack as they didn't file a report or make note of the incident. No one seems to believes they're around here... I guess until something or someone goes missing. It was not afraid of me or my vehicle in the least bit which was the scarier realization.
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