A rural community north of Silverthorne has had several reports from residents of mountain lions acting aggressive recently.

Lower Blue River Fire Protection District chair Mark Eatherton warned in an email on Oct. 2 that there have been reports of “numerous aggressive mountain lions that have been encountered in the Heeney area.”

One of the mountain lions injured a domestic cat in the early morning hours late last month, and in another instance a pair of mountain lions growled at someone who encountered them during the daylight hours, Eatherton said. The mountain lion pair both appeared to be juveniles, he said.

“The (Colorado Parks and Wildlife) game warden has been advised as to these situations,” Eatherton said. “But it is important people be aware of this situation.”

“We are aware of the mountain lions in that area, and we are currently monitoring the situation,” Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesperson Rachael Gonzalez said. “We did have traps out but weren’t successful, so we did remove those. But again we are keeping an eye out and just having conversations and reminding people of all of the tips … for living in mountain lion country.”

In places like Summit County, where mountain lions are known to roam, pet owners are advised to keep their animals on a leash and to not let pets outside alone, especially after dark.

Earlier this year, Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials euthanized a mountain lion near Silverthorne following a string of reported attacks on local pets and livestock. Officials said the mountain lion was deemed “a threat to human health and safety.”

Mountain lions, which are also known as cougars, panthers and pumas, are elusive predators and a crucial part of the state’s ecosystem, according to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website. Their population size in Colorado is estimated at 3,800-4,400.

Mountain lions stalk their prey and attack with a sudden rush, often from behind, using powerful jaws to break the windpipe or neck of their prey, the website states. An adult male mountain lion can be up to 8 feet in length and weigh up to 150 pounds, and females can be up to 7 feet long and 90 pounds.

Mountain lions prefer to hunt deer but will also hunt elk, porcupines, small mammals, livestock and domesticated pets. People rarely get more than a brief glimpse of a mountain lion in the wild, according to Parks and Wildlife, but people who do encounter the creature in the wild should remain calm.

Those who encounter a mountain lion should talk calmly yet firmly to the lion and make eye contact with it while backing slowly away. Running may stimulate a mountain lion’s instinct to chase and attack, the state’s guide for living with lions says.

To appear larger to the lion, stand on a rock and open up your jacket, placing any object you have between yourself and the predator. If the lion behaves aggressively, throw stones or branches at it.

Eatherton also wrote in his email that “bears are very active” this time of year as they forage for food ahead of winter.

Black bears – the only species of bears found in Colorado – don’t technically hibernate but go through a lighter sleep-state, sometimes waking up throughout the winter, according to wildlife experts.

Nonetheless, bears this time of year can spend up to 20 hours a day trying to eat more than 20,000 calories to fatten up for winter. But bears eating from human garbage can be hurt when they consume unsafe materials such as plastic or metal.

“Do not leave any domestic animal food or garbage outside as they will be attracted to this food,” Eatherton said. “Treat them with extreme caution if you come across one.”