Mountain Lion Spotted at LCSC Located and Euthanized

Idaho wildlife officials say the animal posed a public safety risk and had to be put down.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 11:55pm

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A mountain lion that was first reported near the Lewis-Clark State College campus in Lewiston, Idaho on February 1 was located and humanely euthanized by Idaho Fish and Game officials on February 3. The animal was found about a mile from the original sighting location, and wildlife officials said it had to be put down due to public safety concerns as chemical immobilization could not be safely conducted.

Why it matters

Mountain lion sightings in urban or residential areas can raise public safety concerns, as the large predators pose a risk to humans and pets. Idaho Fish and Game must balance wildlife conservation with protecting the public when dealing with such incidents.

The details

According to Fish and Game, the mountain lion's size and location indicated it was likely the same animal previously observed near the Lewis-Clark State College campus. Wildlife officials said they made the difficult decision to euthanize the animal because the location made it unsafe to chemically immobilize it. Lewiston police assisted in the operation.

  • The initial sighting occurred late on February 1.
  • The mountain lion was located and euthanized early on February 3.

The players

Idaho Fish and Game

The state wildlife agency responsible for managing and protecting Idaho's natural resources, including responding to incidents involving dangerous wildlife in populated areas.

Lewiston Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that assisted Idaho Fish and Game in the operation to euthanize the mountain lion.

Lewis-Clark State College

The college where the mountain lion was first spotted on campus surveillance footage.

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The takeaway

This incident highlights the challenges wildlife agencies face in balancing conservation efforts with public safety when dangerous animals venture into populated areas. While euthanasia is a last resort, it may be necessary to protect the community when other options are unavailable.