Lion Killed in Helena

Wildlife officials say they shot and killed a mountain lion that was curled up for a rest on the porch of a Helena home.

Dave Loewen, a game warden with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, says he shot the year-old mountain lion from his truck at about 8 a.m. Wednesday. The warden says he wanted to dart the lion and capture it, but he couldn't get a clean shot and did not want the animal to start running in the residential area.

Charlene Wilson, who lives at the home, says police called her at about 7 a.m. and told her to stay inside and away from the windows. She says she picked up the morning newspaper on the porch about five minutes before the call.

The lion, which weighed between 100 and 120 pounds, will probably be used for educational purposes.

Story from The Associated Press