Colorado Wildlife Officers Rescue Young Mountain Lions from Spillway

Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers successfully rescued two young mountain lions that had become trapped in a spillway near Durango. A video captured the officers dangling a rope from atop a high wall to lift the animals to safety.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers performed a daring rescue operation to save two young mountain lions that had become trapped in a spillway near Durango. The incident unfolded on Friday as officials were preparing to release water down the Vallecito Reservoir spillway.

Recognizing that a release of water would likely drown the lions, CPW sought permission from the Pine River Irrigation District to access hydroelectric plant property and attempt a rescue.

Armed with a rope, one officer dangled it from atop a wall and successfully lifted one of the animals up from the spillway far below. The first mountain lion held onto the rope and ran off into the woods.

However, the second lion refused to hold onto the rope and ran down the spillway to where the Los Pinos River continued below the dam. Unwilling to swim to the bank, the young lion paced around and eventually moved into a corner of the spillway.

CPW officers devised a new plan. One officer descended into the spillway and managed to get the lion interested in the rope. With the lion's attention focused, other officers used a catch pole to help lift the animal over the concrete wall and release it.

Initially, the rescued lion sought shelter under a truck for a few minutes. As everyone backed off and regrouped, the young lion ran off in the same direction as its sibling.

CPW emphasized the importance of respecting wildlife and keeping a safe distance. The mountain lions were unharmed and were able to return to their natural habitat thanks to the successful rescue effort.