Glacier warns of aggressive mountain lion

Glacier National Park officials are warning visitors about a mountain lion that has displayed aggressive behavior toward people on busy trails in the Upper McDonald Creek Valley recently.

On June 23, a woman and her niece were confronted by an adult, dark-colored mountain lion on the Sperry Trail near Lake McDonald Lodge.

The lion was crouched near the trail with its ears back when it was first seen. The visitors spoke firmly to the lion and eventually it left the area.

On June 26, rangers received a report about a large hiking group that encountered a mountain lion with a similar description on the Upper McDonald Creek Trail between the North McDonald Road and the horse bridge across Upper McDonald Creek.

The lion was spotted less than five feet off the trail and did not show any signs of being frightened by people.

Rangers are patrolling those trails and are requesting visitors to report any mountain lion sightings to the nearest park facility or ranger.

Rangers advise that with mountain lions, unlike bears, if an attack seems imminent, a person should act aggressively and should not crouch or run away. Visitors are urged to hike in groups and to avoid solo travel on park trails.