‘Very confused’ mountain lion investigates reindeer Christmas decoration in Wyoming

JACKSON, Wyoming (Idaho Statesman) – A mountain lion encountered something that looked like prey but probably didn’t smell like it — considering it was a Christmas decoration, video shows.

The lion was spotted on surveillance video prowling around outside Hotel Terra near Jackson, Teton Village Association said on Instagram Dec. 23.

“A very confused mountain lion investigates the Christmas decor,” the caption says.

The video shows the mountain lion peering into the glass panel on a door before it turns and spots what looks like a reindeer in the snowy front yard of the hotel.

“Mountain lion trying to come into the hotel,” a caption over the video says.

The predator pauses for a moment before it approaches the fake reindeer from the rear, sniffs at it and raises a paw to its hindquarters, the video shows. It then walks to the front of the fake animal and stands on its hind legs to further investigate the reindeer’s face and neck.

“That young lion really wanted that deer to be real,” someone said in the comments.

Teton Village is about a 15-mile drive northwest from Jackson.

What to do if you see a mountain lion

Mountain lions are typically “calm, quiet and elusive,” according to the National Park Service. While attacks involving mountain lions are rare, they are possible.

“Even so, the potential for being killed or injured by a mountain lion is quite low compared to many other natural hazards,” the National Park Service said on its website. “There is a far greater risk, for example, of being killed in an automobile accident with a deer than of being attacked by a mountain lion.”

Officials said there are some things you can do to prevent a mountain lion encounter from becoming an attack.

• Stay calm and back away slowly.
• Face the lion and stand up straight.
• Don’t approach a mountain lion, especially if it’s with kittens.
• Don’t run. It could stimulate a mountain lion’s chase instincts.
• Pick up small children so they don’t panic or run away.
• Don’t bend over or crouch down.
• Throw things at the mountain lion if it continues to move toward you.
• If the mountain lion attacks, fight back using anything around you.
• Report all sightings, encounters or attacks to local park rangers or law enforcement.

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