June 3, 2003

BEWARE THE MOUNTAIN LION. Today, Dave Reichel sited another mountain lion (perhaps the same specimen noted below) crossing 106th just past the Club House at dusk. No particular hurry. Rather at ease, perhaps a bit arrogant. The thing sauntered into a ravine below, and Dave lost track of it—seems to have blended into the landscape effortlessly, masterfully. Dave regrets that he did not have time to pursue the lion on foot for closer inspection.

2002

Valerie Zera heard a mountain lion roar, while riding in the hills to the southeast of 96th St East and Cima Mesa Road. A neighbor saw a mountain lion saunter past her house about 9:30am the next morning, about 30 feet to the south of the house (and 10 feet from her dog run). Over the past year, she had noticed tracks in the area indicating such a presence.

Dryness and scarcity of game may be causing them to emerge from their mountain retreats.

Dos 'n' Don'ts

DON'T HIKE ALONE:
Go in groups, with adults supervising children.

DO KEEP CHILDREN CLOSE TO YOU:
Observations of captured wild mountain lions reveal that the animals seem especially drawn to children. Keep children within your sight at all times.

DON'T APPROACH A LION:
Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation. Give them a way to escape.

DON'T RUN FROM A LION:
Running may stimulate a mountain lion's instinct to chase. Instead, stand and face the animal. Make eye contact. If you have small children with you, pick them up if possible so they don't panic and run. Although it may be awkward, pick them up without bending over or turning away from the mountain lion.

DON'T CROUCH DOWN OR BEND OVER:
In Nepal, a researcher studying tigers and leopards watched the big cats kill cattle and domestic water buffalo while ignoring humans standing nearby. He surmised that a human standing up is just not the right shape for a cat's prey. On the other hand, a person squatting or bending over looks a lot like a four legged prey animal. If you're in mountain lion country, avoid squatting, crouching or bending over, even when picking up children.

DO ALL YOU CAN TO APPEAR LARGER:
Raise your arms. Open your jacket if you are wearing one. Again, pick up small children. Throw stones, branches, or whatever you can reach without crouching or turning your back. Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly in a loud voice. The idea is to convince the mountain lion that you are not prey and that you may be a danger to it.

DO FIGHT BACK, IN THE EVENT OF ATTACK:
A hiker in Southern California used a rock to fend off a mountain lion that was attacking his son. Others have fought back successfully with sticks, caps, jackets, garden tools and their bare hands. Since a mountain lion usually tries to bite the head or neck, try to remain standing and face the attacking animal. Of course, where possible, avoid injuring a mountain lion.

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