Mountain Lion Sighted Near Bennet

BENNET–(KFOR Nov. 18)–A mountain lion sighting in eastern Lancaster County over the weekend.

This happened early Sunday morning about a mile east of Bennet, south of 176th and Bennet Road, where the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office said someone reported being awakened by a notification on their trail camera and heard what they thought was an owl screeching.

Reviewing the footage, a large mountain lion was seen on the trail camera about 50 yards north of their home. Large paw prints were found in the mud in the same area and the mountain lion was not found.

A mountain lion was captured on camera near a home in Bennet, NE on 11/17/24 around 1 am. It was seen later the same morning on a game camera east of Bennet. @LSOnebraska deputies have been monitoring the area with no additional sightings. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/o1MgUc38vx

— Lancaster County Sheriff (@LSOnebraska) November 18, 2024

LSO Captain John Vik on Monday morning said says some things you can do to protect yourself if you encounter a mountain lion include don’t present yourself as a food source or prey, by being as big as possible, don’t crouch down. He adds don’t leave any pet food out in the open outside the house, which could draw not only mountain lions, but other unwanted animals.