Comments: Thus far, we have received reports that the preceding photos were taken in Wyoming, Arizona, New Mexico, and Montana. It can't be all four, obviously, so prudence dictates that we take the various anecdotes accompanying these images with a grain of salt — including the claim that the mule attacked and killed the mountain lion, which frankly appears lifeless throughout the series of photographs (see update below).

Those issues aside, the American Donkey and Mule Society says the images could be authentic and do show "exactly the mode of attack a mule or donkey would use" in fending off a predator (both have been known to attack dogs in this fashion). "While we are neither supporting nor condemning the photos," the ADMS Website says, "we do believe them to be a true depiction of what a mule or donkey would do faced with the situation of a predator invading their territory."

2005 Update:  According to Steven Richards of Western Mule Magazine, the incident documented in the photographs actually took place in southwestern New Mexico in 2002 or 2003. The mule, named Berry, is owned by a hunter named Jody Anglin. Contrary to email reports, the mountain lion was already dead when Berry the mule "attacked" it, according to Anglin.

Sources and further reading:

Mule vs. Mountain Lion - The Rest of the Story
(PDF file) Western Mule Magazine, May 2005

Mule vs. Mountain Lion
(PDF file) Western Mule Magazine, March 2005

Mule vs. Mountain Lion
Commentary from the American Donkey and Mule Society

Mule: History and Origin of the Breed
International Museum of the Horse

Last updated: 10/06/05