Village of Oak Creek residents Blaine and Chris Rebillot woke up early Tuesday, June 30, to a mountain lion peering into their bedroom window.
The couple lives off Wild Horse Mesa Drive and their house is surrounded by Forest Service land. The location of their home leads to the sighting of a variety of different wildlife.
“We saw a fox yesterday and see snakes, bobcats and just all kinds of stuff back here. But this was the first time we saw a mountain lion,” Chris Rebillot said.
Whether it’s referred to as a puma, a panther or a mountain lion, this territorial cat is a top-level predator found throughout Arizona.
Mountain lions live in rocky or mountainous terrain. The Arizona Game and Fish Department estimates there to be 2,500 to 3,500 mountain lions in Arizona.
Awakened by noises outside around 4:30 a.m., Blaine Rebillot investigated the cause of the noises 30 minutes later and found a mountain lion starring back at him through a window.
“I was still asleep when my husband heard noises. He woke me up saying their was a mountain lion in the window, which is right above our bed and it was looking down at us. His whole head took up our smaller windows,” Rebillot said.
The mountain lion had pawed at windows and doors around their house, leaving smudge marks from its paws and nose. The cat stayed at their window for 15 minutes, allowing the couple to photograph it.
“The thing that startled us is he wasn’t afraid of us, he didn’t growl and he didn’t freak out with the flash [from the camera],” Rebillot said.
Later, the cat embarked up the mountain behind their house, but stopped after 20 feet and sat down. The couple then went downstairs and watched the mountain lion for another 10 minutes.
“We didn’t feel threatened by him, but we certainly won’t be outside at night anymore, not that we were that much before. We will be more cautious, especially opening the garage door, since you don’t know what is on the other side,” Rebillot said.
The couple reported the sighting to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office and they have not seen the mountain lion since. Arizona Game and Fish contacted the couple about looking at the mountain lion’s tracks. According to its website, cats’ tracks can be 3 to 5 inches wide. The tracks will have a M-shape look to them with four toes, but no visible claws, and three lobes on the pad of the foot, according to the website.
Sedona is built in prime mountain lion conditions; the cat’s main food sources include deer, javelina and small animals, which are in abundance here. Due to the terrain and plentiful food sources, mountain lion sightings will occur and certain precautions should be taken by residents.
The growth of Sedona has lead to urban sprawl. This causes mountain lions’ habitat to shrink and creates a greater chance of sighting a cat or becoming a part of a conflict with one, according to the game and fish website.
Ways to avoid confrontations with mountain lions are to never hike alone, make noise when outside and teach children mountain lion safety precautions, according to the website. All domesticated animals should be kept inside or in an enclosed area with a roof.
In addition, wild animals of all types should not be fed. Feeding an animal lower on the food chain can attract its predators as well, according to the website. Also, domesticated animals’ food should not be left outside since the food can attract unwanted animals and their predators.
If one sees a mountain lion or encounters one, game and fish officers advise reporting it to the nearest regional office. The mountain lion should not be approached or run from, and making eye contact with the animal is important. If approached by one, back away slowly and never turn away from the cat.
Dusk and dawn are primarily when mountain lions are spotted. Heightened awareness should be taken by people walking or hiking during these times.
