Kids spotmountain lion 200 feet from bus stop

HELENA, Mont. – A group of children waiting for their school bus got a shock when they spotted a mountain lion in a field just 200 feet away. Beach Transportation General Manager Robert Mitchell said his driver and the children saw the wild animal at about the same time Wednesday morning just as the bus was pulling up to the stop on a rural route south of Missoula.

The driver quickly loaded the children and used his two-way radio to inform the company, which called 911.

Regional Wildlife Manager Mike Thompson said the mountain lion walked in front of the bus, down the road and up a nearby mountain. He said state wildlife officials don’t believe the animal poses a threat to people.

Mitchell said the school district has alerted the parents of about 15 students who live in the area.