A recent wildlife mystery unfolded in Tucsonβs Coronado National Forest.
Employees discovered the carcass of a white-tailed doe near the Sabino Canyon helipad, but none could be positive of which predator was responsible for the killing.
The fresh kill presented a puzzle, officials said over the weekend in a Facebook post.
The absence of scavenging and the undisturbed state of the carcass eliminated some common scenarios, leaving agency employees with more questions than answers.
To solve the mystery, a game camera was set up.
Two young mountain lions returned to the scene of a recent kill in Sabino Canyon, helping officials with Coronado National Forest determine the predators behind the killing of a doe.
Eventually it reveled the culprits: a pair of young mountain lion siblings returning to the kill scene.
Subsequently, a couple of coyotes emerged to clean up the remnants.
Two coyotes were captured on camera visiting a kill site near the helipad in Sabino Canyon. Lions had killed a doe near there, Coronado National Forest officials say.
The images shed light on the dynamic interactions within this diverse ecosystem in Sabino Canyon, officials say.
Mountain lions, also known as cougars, are apex predators inhabiting a range of terrains within the Coronado National Forest, from arid deserts to rocky canyons and higher elevation forests.
Adults can reach lengths of 6 feet to 9 feet. Their behavior is often observed during dawn, dusk, and evening hours, as they are opportunistic predators hunting a variety of prey.
Encountering a mountain lion requires caution and specific actions.
A young mountain lion makes an appearance on a game camera.
If faced with one, avoid approaching, running, or crouching.
Back away slowly, making yourself appear larger and more aggressive.
And report the sighting to the Forest Service or Arizona Game and Fish Department.
