It’s a face-off between two fearless felines.
Lily Rutledge-Ellison was walking with her boyfriend and her cat, Wesley, when her four-legged friend scurried underneath the family’s backyard deck to follow a scent, Fox 31 in Colorado reports.
Rutledge-Ellison and her boyfriend were shocked to discover a 60-pound female mountain lion staring back at them.
The incident happened late Thursday night near Englewood, Colorado. "We were walking with [Wesley] and he went under the deck and came jumping out with a really bushy tail," Rutledge-Ellison said.
"I was like in Englewood? No way. That’s why I really didn’t believe it was a mountain lion. I thought maybe a bobcat," Rutledge-Ellison added.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife believe the mountain lion, who is said to be about 2-and-a-half years old, took refuge under the deck in search for shade.
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After nearly five hours, CPW successfully captured and relocated the animal to a "more appropriate habitat."
Video of the animal’s release shows the animal quickly darting out of a barrel-like enclosure the moment the door is lifted. The animal moves so quickly that the video was put in slow-motion, displaying the incredible muscles and strength of the wild cat.
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"Everybody was very gentle. They were really trying to be as safe as possible for all the people around," Rutledge-Ellison said.
"The reason we chose to go hands-on with this mountain lion was because it was so deep in the heart of the city," said Area Wildlife Manager Matt Martinez. "We are glad this operation worked out so smoothly for that neighborhood and for the mountain lion. We’d like to thank the Englewood Police Department and Code Enforcement for assisting us in getting that lion out safely."
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