At the local Idaho State University campus, the Bengal tiger is the official mascot. That isn't what is running around on campus. There are mountain lions wandering on campus. Not all the time, but often enough that you need to be watchful.
My wife is a dispatcher for Chubbuck PD. She had a call from a local resident who had just returned from a trip. The resident was in the basement of her house and heard something growling. The sound came from a window in the basement that looks out under the front porch. Peering through window was a mountain lion. Fish and Game and the police department were dispatched. Upon arrival, the cat was spooked and ran out. The local elementary schools were notified to keep the kids inside until Fish and Game dealt with the kitty.
I love living in Idaho, but it is still wild country in many places. The elk, deer and moose feed in my front yard during the winter. Porcupines and skunks wander through the yard during the warm summer months.
I have a friend that I went to elementary school up to college.. she moved to Montana after she married. I remember the first time she told me that there was a “code” set up that meant a Mountain Lion had been spotted and there were special precautions at bus stops (children had to stay in the car till the bus arrived) and at the playground. She had grown up near me... we had NO experience with this whatsoever. I don’t know if one sees it as “more normal” when they grow up in an area with that issue or not.. but she was freaking. I think after 15 years, Montana and all its beauty/and wildness... has grown on her. It did take her a bit of time.
Your story about the woman looking out the window essentially seeing a Mountain Lion looking back... gracious me! You see, I wouldn’t have to call the dispatcher. Nope... your lovely wife would have heard my screams sitting in her chair! LOL!