Black Lion Chased

Wildlife

A rare black cougar has returned at least once to the outskirts of Asotin after being chased away by houndsmen.

Washington Fish and Wildlife authorities requested help from houndsmen to chase away the cougar after it appeared to be stalking children near town.

When the cat retreated into a cave, the men were able to positively identify it before gathering their dogs and retreating.

Authorities say the mountain lion will be left alone if it stays away, but it’s been seen at least once again near town.

The likely solution, authorities say, would be to tree the cat with hounds and subdue it with a tranquilizer for relocation.

A black-phase cougar is extremely rare. Of 4,000 cougars killed by hunters and examined by Idaho authorities in the last 20 years, none was black, said research biologist John Beecham.