Curious cougar cub wanders into California classroom

A quick-thinking custodian safely confined a curious cougar in an empty classroom after it entered a Northern California high school last week, authorities said. The custodian was opening Pescadero High in San Mateo County for the school day when the juvenile mountain lion was spotted, No students or teachers were on campus at the time. The cub estimated to be about 40 pounds, appeared “lost and scared." The cougar was captured by state wildlife authorities to be medically treated before being released back into the wild.

Class discussion: As people build homes closer to wild areas, they come into contact with a greater variety of wildlife. What wild animals have you seen in your neighborhood? Are they just small animals like squirrels, rabbits or raccoons? Or, do you see larger animals like deer, coyotes, bears, alligators or mountain lions? How do you interact with wild animals? Do you try to approach them, or do you keep your distance? Most wildlife avoid humans, but attacks can happen. Can you find any examples of dangerous encounters with wild animals?