Young Mountain Lion Shows Acrobatic Skills in Rescue From Spillway

Two mountain lion cubs that were stuck in a dam’s spillway were rescued by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officials after they were found just before the dam was set to be opened.

The dam at the Vallecito Reservoir was due to be opened on Friday, April 19, when the tender noticed the two cubs sheltering below in the channel, the CPW said.

The CPW said that a release of water from the dam would have likely drowned the cubs, so operations were halted so they could be saved.

Footage released by the CPW showed how one cub showed good grip and acrobatic skills to jump onto and grab a bar that was lowered down to lift it up to safety. Credit: CPW via Storyful

Video transcript

Oh, hi.I'm keeping it up.It's ok, buddy.Oh, you were poor bad day or?But, yep, you're there, boy, he's got a hell of a hold on it, man.He's like, I know what's going on.I'm not letting this go.Oh, that's a good boy.Good boy.Good boy.Oh, no.At a boy.Good boy.Oh, well done at a boy.Good boy.Oh, well done.Good girl.All right, we got you, sweetheart.You are free.Good girl.All right, we got you, sweetheart.You are free.Good girl.All right, we got you, sweetheart.You are free.Good girl.All right, we got you, sweetheart.You are free.Good girl.All right, we got you, sweetheart.You are free.