Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News

~ John W. Howell

Today’s Good News story continues the good work being done on behalf of Big cats. I am grateful to GP of Pacific Paratrooper for sharing this story, which ran on Fox News.

Video shows Colorado wildlife officers dangling rope to rescue mountain lions from spillway

Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers spring into action near Vallecito Reservoir

By Greg Norman Fox News Published

Watch the video HERE

A video has captured Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers straddling a high wall and dangling a rope during their successful effort to rescue two young mountain lions that had become trapped in a spillway.

CPW’s Southwest Region said the rescue unfolded on Friday as officials were preparing to release water down the Vallecito Reservoir spillway outside of Durango.

“A release of water likely would have drowned the two lions,” it said, noting that the Pine River Irrigation District allowed its officers onto hydroelectric plant property to attempt the rescue.

Video released by CPW then showed one of its officers dangling a rope from atop a wall and lifting one of the animals up from the spillway far below.

A Colorado Parks and Wildlife officer is seen dangling a rope with a mountain lion clinging onto it on Friday, April 19, near the Vallecito Reservoir outside of Durango. (Colorado Parks and Wildlife)

“The first mountain lion held onto the rope all the way to the top of the spillway barrier and quickly ran off into the woods. The second lion, however, wouldn’t hold onto the rope and ran down the spillway all the way to where the Los Pinos River continues below the dam,” it said. “Unwilling to swim to reach the bank, the young lion continued to pace around at the water’s edge and moved into a corner of the spillway.”

Colorado mountain lions trapped in spillway

Both young mountain lions were rescued from the spillway, Colorado Parks and Wildlife says. (Colorado Parks and Wildlife)

CPW says one of its officers then went down into the spillway himself and managed to get the mountain lion interested in the rope.

“With the lion interested in the rope, CPW staff were also able to use a catch pole, and all together, we lifted the lion over the concrete wall and quickly released it. However, the lion decided to hide under a truck for a few minutes,” it said.

One of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers had to enter the spillway himself to complete the rescue. (Colorado Parks and Wildlife)

“After everyone backed off and it took time to regroup, the young lion ran off in the same direction as its sibling,” CPW added.

Today’s story again underscores the good news that people are willing to help animals in trouble. Today’s JohnKu offers thanks to these officers. I hope you have a super weekend.

Thanks by John W. Howell © 2024

Quick and decisive

Was the norm for this great day . . .

We all offer thanks.

 

82 thoughts on “Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News”

  3. Thanks, John. This news makes me wonder about the many selfless daily acts we never hear about. Like atoms, those sometimes small yet important efforts that help hold us all together.

    Liked by 2 people

  4. Wow!

    This would have had a very different ending if not for their quick thinking. They just weren’t going to accept that very different ending though. Great stuff Sheriff.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Saw this article and fully expected it to be your Friday headliner. What a great story. I felt for that officer who shimmied along the wall (‘I feel your pain’).

    Liked by 2 people

  8. Wow! What an amazing story. How wonderful the lions understood they were being helped. Such a heart-warming story of humans helping wildlife. Thank you for that.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Goodness abounds but usually doesn’t get the Press time that obnoxious behavior garners. Thank you, John, for reserving Fridays for HOPE in mankind. 💚

    Liked by 2 people

  17. My heart was in my throat looking at that first photo. God bless those workers who risked their own well-being to rescue the mountain lions – who are most handsome! Bravo and well done!

    Liked by 2 people

  18. What amazes me is that these animals would overcome their natural inclination to fear humans and would offer their trust so they could be rescued. What a great tale — thanks, John!

    Liked by 2 people

  22. That’s wild! Usually when people and mountain lions get together, it’s not a good result for one of them.

    Liked by 1 person

  24. Wow, those park rangers were brave. I’m glad they were successful. I’m thinking that they’re ropin skills are top notch!

    Like

  25. So nice to see wonderful stories reminding us that there are still plenty of kind and goodhearted folks out there. This brought tears … the good kind … to my eyes, John. Thanks for sharing it! 😀 ❤

    Liked by 2 people

  31. LOVE this John!

    Your JohnKu is right on!

    Now I can make dinner in happiness. That will make it taste extra better! Yay… salad!

    🥗𝖃 🥗𝖃 🥗𝖃 🥗𝖃

    Liked by 1 person

  32. What a great news story you shared. CPW folks are amazing at what they do and I’m proud they took the necessary time and patience to move those kits to safer grounds. Thanks for sharing, John. I so enjoy these posts!

    Liked by 2 people

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