News

Sep 01, 2023

Omaha mountain lion spotted again near 108th and M at apartment complex

OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — The mountain lion that's been roaming around Omaha was spotted again at Aspen Lofts Apartments near 108th and M Streets. A video posted on social media by Rachel Bolt shows the

OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — The mountain lion that's been roaming around Omaha was spotted again at Aspen Lofts Apartments near 108th and M Streets.

A video posted on social media by Rachel Bolt shows the animal roaming the apartment parking lot Tuesday night a little after 11:15 p.m., followed by Omaha Police officers with long guns a short while later. An OPD spokesperson said Wednesday afternoon that the department has "no information indicating the officers saw the mountain lion."

Bolt took the video after a friend and neighbor, Pierre Minor, told her to watch out.

"He knows I'm a night owl," Bolt said. "He was a little worried I would be letting my dog out."

Minor had just had a close encounter with the mountain lion as he was working late into the evening to move from one apartment to another at Aspen Lofts. Halfway down the outdoor stairs, he thought for a moment the animal he saw was a neighbor's German shepherd. When he realized that wasn't the case, he froze and locked eyes with the cat. He backed up slowly before turning around and sprinting back inside the apartment, which he luckily left unlocked. The mountain lion didn't chase.

Bolt said the cat appeared scared. "It looked young," she said. "It looked out of place."

Just before noon Wednesday, 3 News Now saw an Omaha police officer looking for the mountain lion in a wooded area between the apartment complex and L Street. The officer hopes the cat heads out of town so it won't need to be killed.

Bolt understands the public safety risk, but said she thinks it's "kind of ridiculous that we are still killing these animals when we've taken over their land."

"I know in reality it's not that easy," she said. "But I would like to advocate for a humane release."

Experts say you shouldn't run from a mountain lion. That might trigger its instinct to chase. Make yourself appear threatening, experts say. Make yourself appear big and keep eye contact. While keeping eye contact with the cat, pick up kids so they don't run, and throw things if you can. Speak loudly and firmly.

Omaha Police say to call 911 if the mountain lion is spotted.

FROM THE ARCHIVES: In 2003 another mountain lion was sighted in Omaha near Brownell Talbot school

RELATED: Why does the Omaha mountain lion have to be killed?

SEE MORE: Omahans being cautious of mountain lion; could be following creek

Download our apps today for all of our latest coverage.

Get the latest news and weather delivered straight to your inbox.