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Pair Of Cougars Caught On Wildlife Camera On Sonoma County Vineyard Grounds

GLEN ELLEN (KPIX 5) -- A pair of cougars were caught on camera playing around on the grounds of a winery in Sonoma County.

In broad daylight, relaxed, and doing what any other cat would do - lounging, resting and enjoying life in the vineyards of the Kenwood Jack London Estate.

"I always knew that there were mountain lions on the mountain, but I never thought I'd see playing like a couple of fat cats right next to the vineyard. I'm much happier to see them on video than in person," Pat Henderson, Chief Winemaker at Kenwood Vineyards said.

The rare scene was captured with a small game camera mounted near the fence line trail.

Steve Shaffer placed the camera and says there are more out there.

"I've been starting to see mountains, often three at a time that would hit on one or more camera's on a given day," Shaffer, who owns property near the winery said.

There's a lot more wildlife near the vineyard - foxes, families of geese, and of course coyotes.

Kenwood says it's the sign of a healthy environment.

"And for the most part, they leave us alone and we leave them alone," Henderson said.

So, for now, the mountain lions are not showing any signs of aggression and simple seem to be minding their own business. The land owner says, they're just part of the landscape.

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