Thermal cameras capture mountain lions playing near Colorado mountain town high school football field

A Boulder County Sheriff’s Office deputy, Deputy Mike Fank, caught some unique wildlife activity on Tuesday, Sept. 22 while he was performing a thermal drone training in Nederland, Colorado, according to a social media post from the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office.

Fank’s thermal drone captured four mountain lions playing near the Nederland Middle & Senior High football field while performing a training session.

WATCH: Mountain lions play near school football field:

Deputy Mike Fank’s thermal drone training turned into an unexpected wildlife documentary last night capturing four mountain lions playing near the Nederland Middle/ Senior High School. This was a training flight, done late at night and away from any homes, so we can practice… pic.twitter.com/47WLEQkKtT

— Boulder County Sheriff’s Office (@BldrCOSheriff) September 23, 2026

“This was a training flight, done late at night and away from any homes, so we can practice without disturbing residents,” the BCSO post said. “Drone training matters. It’s how we prepare for the real missions: wildfire response, search and rescue, locating missing or endangered people, documenting scenes, and assessing dangerous areas from a safe distance.”

BCSO also said the more skilled their pilots are, the faster and safer they can respond when someone needs help.

BCSO reminders about mountain lion safety:

• Mountain lion encounters – stay calm, give the animal space, and back away slowly. Raise your arms, open your jacket, and pick up small children or pets to make yourself appear larger.
• Peak activity times – lions are most active at dusk and dawn, so be extra aware.
• Pet safety – keep pets close and on a leash, especially at night.
• Reduce attractants – don’t draw deer to your yard, as they attract lions.
• Stay visible – avoid thick vegetation and areas with limited visibility.
• Give young lions space — never approach kittens or a feeding lion; allow them an escape route.
• Report unusual or aggressive behavior to CPW or the sheriff’s office.