Sheep killer trapped; lion attacked herd

CARSON CITY -- Jack Foerschler was convinced a gunman was to blame for a string of sheep deaths at his Carson City farm in recent weeks.

But Foerschler said he changed his mind after video surveillance cameras showed the culprit responsible for the deaths of 12 of his sheep: a mountain lion.

"I've never had a mountain lion kill sheep," he told the Nevada Appeal. "I'm very happy it's over and done. I'm happier it wasn't some nut and only a lion."

Foerschler called the sheriff's department in early April after he found what appeared to be small-caliber bullet wounds in some of the dead sheep.

After setting up cameras outside the pens to view his flock, he saw videotape that showed a lion leap effortlessly over a six-foot fence from a dead stop and saunter away with a lamb in its mouth.

Foerschler called the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and a trapper captured the 130-pound male lion within days near the farm.

Because the Nevada Department of Wildlife does not allow for relocation of mountain lions, the animal was killed.

"If that lion has already keyed in on livestock, there's not really any place to take it where it won't be a disruption," said Kevin Lansford, predator biologist with NDOW.