Here’s a piece of advice: if you encounter a cougar in the wild, just turn and walk away — and certainly don’t stick around to take a video.
According to KUTV in Salt Lake City, Utah wildlife conservation officer Mark Ekins responded to a call for help from a trapper who stumbled across a fully grown (and fully pissed off) cougar. Elkins, being a citizen of the 21st century, decided to record his efforts to free the furious beast as it thrashed about in the trap.
In the video, Elkins and the trapper make several attempts to secure the ripshit animal with a catch pull (that long pole with a wire loop attached). After finally securing the cougar, the two threw a blanket over it, unhooked the animal from the trap, and ran like hell.
“I think it’s a lot more humane and a lot safer option than sedation,” Ekins told KUTV of his ballsy maneuver. “He seemed perfectly fine.”
Here’s to you, Elkins, you beautiful brave bastard. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be stocking up on cougar armor, thanks.