Do you see a mountain lion in this photo, poised to kill? Most people can’t find it
A life-and-death moment caught by a trail camera in New Mexico has gone viral, after wildlife officials challenged viewers to find the well-disguised mountain lion in the scene.
The photo was taken at Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge, roughly 150 miles northeast of Albuquerque, and shows an elk in a gully surrounded by trees.
“Take a moment today to search for the hidden mountain lion that is following this elk,” the refuge posted on Facebook. “How long did it take you?”
The riddle was posted July 1 and has amassed more than 10,000 reactions and shares. Among the 850 comments are people who swear there is no mountain lion the photo. The 220-pound predators are also known as pumas and cougars.
“I would’ve been dead because I could not find it,” Stevie Westlake posted.
“I had to double the size of my screen...Spooky stuff!” Tony Rodolico responded on Facebook.
“I looked at the photo again today and didn’t see the lion, I think it moved overnight!” Will Merrill wrote.
“I’m not entirely sure there is only one in this picture. What does anyone else think? I believe at least one more, possibly two,” Dennis Mohn posted.
Refuge officials also found themselves denying a mountain lion had been Photoshopped into the image. To prove it, the refuge said it will post a series of photos next week that show the mountain lion emerging from its hiding place.
Many commenters also wondered what became of the elk.
“The elk moved on and the puma moved out into the open and towards where the elk was. We are not sure what finally happened,” the refuge posted.
So where is the mountain lion? “Start looking at the base of the tree that is at the far right of the picture. Move a little left and down. The puma is hidden in the grass,” the refuge says.
If you still can’t find it, some people have begun posting photos in the comments section that show exactly where it is. To see one, click here for a view or try here for a closer view.
This story was originally published July 3, 2020 at 11:50 AM with the headline "Do you see a mountain lion in this photo, poised to kill? Most people can’t find it."