At approximately 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 31, 2020, the West Fargo Police Department responded to a report of a mountain lion sighting in the 3200 block of Ninth Street W. in West Fargo.

When officers arrived on scene, a mountain lion was observed in the tree line near Rendezvous Park, adjacent to Aurora Elementary. The West Fargo Police Department immediately made contact with the North Dakota Game and Fish, who also arrived on scene.

Because the mountain lion was within feet of occupied buildings, exhibiting behavior that was not associated with a healthy animal, and demonstrated an apparent lack of fear for human interaction, it was decided in the interest of public safety the animal needed to be put down.

The West Fargo Police Department weighs all the risks to the public when making a determination to put down any wild animal. The close proximity to a residential area, no ability to relocate the animal and lack of normal behavior were leading factors in the decision. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department, who were on-site, confirmed they fully support the police department’s decision due to these factors.

For information on what you should do if you see a wild animal in the City of West Fargo, go to our website.

No more information will be released and no further comment will be provided.