From the archives of

::: COMMUNITY NEWS

California Department of Fish and Game

Nature: What you need to know about mountain lions

Published Monday, June 18, 2007

Mountain lion sightings are not uncommon in Rancho Murieta. While you should be aware, you shouldn't be unduly alarmed, officials say.

"It's not surprising," Patrick Foy, biologist and spokesperson for the state department of Fish and Game, said in a 2005 interview. "There are lions in that area. Not many. It's not known for lions. … As long as a lion is not posing an imminent threat or known to be attacking or killing any domestic animals, then we're going to have a hands-off policy on it. … Our goal is to help people and deer and lions and wildlife co-exist."

Foy explained mountain lions are not necessarily nocturnal animals. They are opportunistic predators who hunt when their prey is active. While deer are usually most active at dawn and dusk, in Rancho Murieta they can be seen throughout the day.

"The deer in Rancho Murieta are so accustomed to people that they don't hide during the middle of the day. They just don't have any fear," said Foy.

Rancho Murieta has what Foy termed "an overabundance of deer," because "deer thrive off of irrigated landscaping. It's not just in Rancho Murieta. It's in the American River Parkway, it's in the golf courses across the nation."

When you add deliberate feeding to this inadvertent feeding, you get concentrations of deer that attract predators like coyotes, mountain lions and bobcats. "My first bit of advice is to quit feeding the deer," said Foy, adding that it's against the law to feed deer by putting out grain and salt licks.

Fish and Game provides a brochure about living in "lion country" that is available on the web or at the Community Services District Building. Advice includes deer-proofing landscaping, installing outdoor lighting and keeping pets secure.

Foy recommends several precautions: Don't jog or hike alone and carry a whistle or other noise-maker.

Should you encounter a mountain lion, Fish and Game's advice is not to bend down or crouch, and don't run away. Do everything you can to look larger and remain upright.

Although the mountain lion population has increased, attacks are rare, Foy notes. According to Foy, there have been fewer than 100 lion attacks in North America in the past 100 years. Fewer than 20 attacks were fatal.

"If you compare that to the instance of domestic dog attacks, there are around 300,000 (dog attacks) a year and, on average, 20 people are killed each year in America alone by domestic dogs," he said. "That doesn't mean you shouldn't take precautions when traveling in lion country."

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The California Department of Fish and Game offers information about mountain lions at its web site. Here is an excerpt:

WHAT IF YOU LIVE IN MOUNTAIN LION COUNTRY?

If you live in mountain lion habitat, here's what you can do to reduce your chances of encountering a mountain lion near your home:

DON'T FEED WILDLIFE: By feeding deer, raccoons or other wildlife in your yard, you will inadvertently attract mountain lions, which prey upon them.

DEER-PROOF YOUR LANDSCAPE: Avoid using plants that deer prefer to eat; if your landscaping attracts deer, mountain lions may be close by. The California Department of Fish and Game has a brochure entitled "Gardening To Discourage Deer Damage" available at most Department offices.

LANDSCAPE FOR SAFETY: Remove dense and/or low-lying vegetation that would provide good hiding places for mountain lions, especially around children's play areas; make it difficult for mountain lions to approach your yard unseen.

INSTALL OUTDOOR LIGHTING: Keep the perimeter of your house well lit at night--especially along walkways--to keep any approaching mountain lions visible.

KEEP PETS SECURE: Roaming pets are easy prey for hungry mountain lions. Either bring pets inside or keep them in a kennel with a secure top. Don't feed pets outside; this can attract raccoons and other mountain lion prey.

KEEP LIVESTOCK SECURE: Where practical, place livestock in enclosed sheds and barns at night, and be sure to secure all outbuildings.

KEEP CHILDREN SAFE: Keep a close watch on children whenever they play outdoors. Make sure children are inside before dusk and not outside before dawn. Talk with children about mountain lions and teach them what to do if they encounter one. This website provides practical advice.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU ENCOUNTER A MOUNTAIN LION?

There's been very little research on how to avoid mountain lion attacks. But mountain lion attacks that have occurred are being analyzed in the hope that some crucial questions can be answered: Did the victim do something to inadvertently provoke an attack? What should a person who is approached by a mountain lion do -- or not do? The following suggestions are based on studies of mountain lion behavior and analysis of attacks by mountain lions, tigers and leopards:

DO NOT HIKE ALONE: Go in groups, with adults supervising children.

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.

DO NOT APPROACH A LION: Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation. Give them a way to escape.

DO NOT 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.

DO NOT 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.

FIGHT BACK IF ATTACKED: 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.

IMMEDIATELY REPORT ALL ENCOUNTERS OR ATTACKS
If you are involved in a face-to-face encounter with, or an attack by, a mountain lion, contact the California Department of Fish and Game 24 hour dispatch center at (916) 445-0045. The threat to public safety will be assessed and any appropriate action will be taken. Also report any sightings of dead or injured mountain lions.