Caught on camera: Big cat on I-70 prowl

For months, dozens of motion-sensor cameras along I-70 between Golden and Glenwood Springs have been snatching nocturnal images of wildlife, in an effort to study how elk, deer, bears and other species negotiate the beastly interstate. The cameras, maintained by the Center for Native Ecosystems, Eco-Resolutions, Colorado Department of Transportation...

By Alan Prendergast

October 9, 2009

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For months, dozens of motion-sensor cameras along I-70 between Golden and Glenwood Springs have been snatching nocturnal images of wildlife, in an effort to study how elk, deer, bears and other species negotiate the beastly interstate. The cameras, maintained by the Center for Native Ecosystems, Eco-Resolutions, Colorado Department of Transportation and other partners, captured all sorts of critters seeking to cross under or over the road, including martens, porcupines, mule deer and black bears -- but no lynx, mountain lions or bobcats.

The result puzzled researchers. Were the felines just too elusive, or were they crossing somewhere else? But the cameras have finally caught their first mountain lion. The picture above was taken west of Eagle on August 18, 2009 at 1:32 a.m. and recently posted by CNE.

Tracking migration patterns and documenting habitat fragmentation caused by the crunch of traffic and development is a critical aim of the project. Environmental groups are pushing to build a wildlife bridge over I-70 near Vail Pass, a proposal examined in my August feature "The Bridge to Somewhere."

Felines are among the intended beneficiaries of a wildlife bridge -- especially the camera-shy Canadian lynx. The Colorado Division of Wildlife has spent millions to re-establish the lynx in state forests, only to see several of the cats end up as roadkill; four have died trying to cross I-70, including a pregnant female.

For more snaps of wildlife seeking to cross the road, check out the Center for Native Ecosystems site.

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Alan Prendergast is a former staff writer at Westword and is now a senior contributor. He writes about various topics but primarily focuses on news. He’s contributed to Rolling Stone, Los Angeles Times, Outside, USA Today, Men's Journal and other publications and is the author of two nonfiction books, Gangbuster: One Man's Battle Against Crime and The Poison Tree: A True Story of Family Violence and Revenge. He’s earned numerous accolades for his work including the Eugene Pulliam National Journalism Writing Award and two national feature writing awards from the Society of Professional Journalists.

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