TPWD Confirms Mountain Lion Sighting in Frisco

FRISCO, TX — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has confirmed a mountain lion was spotted recently in Frisco, just north of Dallas.

The lion was recorded on security camera footage and reported to TPWD on Nov. 4. 

"It is likely that this mountain lion is just passing through and will not stay in the area for an extended period of time," Frisco police said in a news release.

TPWD stated it is monitoring the area and asked residents to report any more sightings.

The man who captured the footage told WFAA in Dallas that he thought an animal had been tearing up his backyard, and that’s why he installed the camera.

Footage initially showed rabbits were the culprit before the mountain lion unexpectedly showed up one night, apparently chasing a rabbit.

In Texas, mountain lions are primarily found in the Trans-Pecos area, west of the Pecos River in far West Texas, and parts of South Texas, according to TPWD.

Attacks on people are extremely rare, with fewer than 30 confirmed fatal mountain lion attacks on people in North America in the last 100 years. There are no records of a confirmed fatal attack on a person by a wild mountain lion in Texas.

When living in areas with possible mountain lion activity, TPWD recommends residents do not allow children and small pets to play outside unsupervised. The department offered tips in the event someone encounters a mountain lion:

• Pick up all children off the ground immediately.
• Do NOT approach the lion
• Stay calm. Talk calmly and move slowly.
• Face the lion and remain in an upright position.
• Do not turn your back on the lion. Back away slowly.
• Do NOT run.
• Do all you can to enlarge your image. Do NOT crouch down or try to hide
• If the lion is aggressive, throw rocks, sticks, or anything you can get your hands on.
• If the lion attacks, fight back. Fighting back can drive off lions.

Mountain lions are known by many names, including cougars, pumas, panthers, painters, and catamounts. TPWD describes the cats as large and slender, with a small head and a noticeably long tail. Its fur is a light, tawny brown color, which can appear gray or almost black, depending on light conditions. The mountain lion's body can be up to 4 feet in length, with a tail 2-3 feet long. They can be as tall as two and a half feet and weigh between 70 and 170 pounds.