Crime & Safety
Winchester Mountain Lion Confirmed by Experts
Police said experts "conclusively" determined a paw print recently found in town belongs to the animal.
Experts have confirmed that a paw print found in Winchester a few weeks ago belongs to a mountain lion.
The last record of a mountain lion sighting in Massachusetts was in 1858.
In February, a resident reported seeing a mountain lion near Wright Locke Farm. Police said about 10 days later, there was another sighting, and they took a photo of a paw print.
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"(The photo) was sent to several independent mountain lion organizations in the United States," Winchester police said in a statement Thursday. "Experts from those organizations have conclusively stated that the paw print belongs to a mountain lion. The Winchester Police Department is reminding residents to be mindful that a mountain lion may still be in town."
Mountain lions primarily hunt deer and rarely attack humans or pets, according to the Mountain Lion Foundation. The foundation does urge people to bring in pets at night if they suspect a mountain lion is around.
Some Officials Dispute Mountain Lion Sighting >>
Mountain lions primarily hunt deer and rarely attack humans or pets, according to the Mountain Lion Foundation. The foundation does urge people to bring in pets at night if they suspect a mountain lion is around.
Some Officials Dispute Mountain Lion Sighting >>
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