The cougar returned that evening.
This time, the officers were prepared.
They followed their established wildlife-handling procedures, safely immobilized the animal, and examined it before arranging its relocation to suitable habitat farther from residential properties.
When they assessed the cougar, they found no obvious signs of severe injury. It appeared to be in reasonable condition, although they couldn’t determine with certainty why it had begun visiting Grandma’s porch.
One officer later explained that the animal’s apparently calm behavior did not mean it had formed a human-like bond with her. It may simply have become accustomed to her presence and associated the porch with food.
Still, everyone who watched the footage agreed on one thing.
Grandma had been extraordinarily lucky.
That evening, my father sat beside her on the porch, staring at the empty spot where the food bowl used to be.
“I still can’t believe you were feeding a mountain lion,” he said.
