While it isn’t unusual to occasionally see mountain lions in and around Fort Collins, in 2004, lions stayed longer than usual in Cathy Fromme Prairie and Pineridge natural areas. The Colorado Division of Wildlife, which has jurisdiction over these large mammals, strongly advised that the animals be allowed to leave the area on their own, rather than through human intervention. Advisory signs were posted to facilitate visitor safety. Visitors were advised that, if they saw a lion, they should

• Stop, avoid running, stay calm, and talk loudly and firmly to the lion in
  a low voice
• Face the lion (but avoid direct eye contact) and back away
• Make themselves look large (raise arms or hold a jacket above their heads)
• Pick up small children
• If the lion is aggressive, throw stones, branches, or anything handy at the lion

The Natural Areas Program staff continued its multi-year prairie dog research project. Comparisons between 2003 and 2004 were as follows:

• Number of acres within Fort Collins’ natural areas occupied by black-tailed prairie dogs (spread among 10 sites): 2003 – 614; 2004 – 505.
• Density estimate of prairie dogs on the 10 sites: 2003 - 8,400; 2004 – 6,160.

Future research will help to monitor, and possibly identify reasons for, the changing numbers.

In October, a dead beaver was found in Riverbend Ponds Natural Area. Following protocol, the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment was contacted to have the animal tested for disease. The beaver tested positive for tularemia, a zoonotic disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans and can also be fatal to cats and dogs. Notices were posted in the natural area advising that tularemia had been found on the site and that visitors should stay on trails, avoid contact with the water, and avoid approaching or handling living or dead animals.