The nonetheless photographs of the mountain lion above come from a video shot by a hiker strolling in Cottonwood Canyon, Utah, in fall 2020. For six minutes, the feminine grownup cougar stalks the hiker and shows intense aggression and feigning costs. The not-quite-an-attack was instigated by the hiker’s unlucky shut encounter with the lion’s cub. You can view the original video here. Should you analyze the video from begin to end, you’ll witness the whole lot it’s best to (and shouldn’t) do in case you encounter a mountain lion — however extra on that later.
Photograph courtesy Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Mountain lion assaults are comparatively uncommon. Like most wild animals (together with bears), the American lion is elusive, and prefers to keep away from human contact. However the American wilderness is house to tens of 1000’s of mountain lions throughout the west coast and Midwest. Unconfirmed sightings have been reported as far east as New York, and the wilderness all through contiguous United States qualifies as appropriate cougar habitat. Should you frequent the Rockies, or every other pacific or Midwest nationwide park or forest, there’s a likelihood you would encounter a lion. Right here’s how you can play it protected in mountain lion nation, and what to do in case you run into one.
The right way to Keep away from a Lion Encounter
Just like the video referenced above, many mountain lion encounters are the results of man and beast encountering one another unexpectedly — which normally leads to the lion, caught unawares, appearing aggressively in opposition to the offending individual. Scale back the chances of a shock run-in with an enormous cat by following these steps.
Make some noise. Making frequent noise on the climbing path and asserting your presence to wildlife is one of the simplest ways to keep away from an encounter with elusive predators like mountain lions. These cats usually tend to keep away from a loud, unknown intruder than transfer nearer to research.
Journey with firm. A lone hiker or camper is much extra more likely to encounter a mountain lion. These predators are opportunistic, and naturally really feel inclined to dimension up single, remoted creature as potential prey. Touring with a bunch of individuals eliminates any likelihood of inadvertently presenting your self as straightforward prey to a stalking lion.
Keep on with marked trails. You’re extra more likely to encounter a lion in case you stray from trafficked climbing trails and established campsites. The mountain lion’s pure sources of meals — deer, elk, and small critters – wish to avoid locations that folks frequent, and lions are likely to observe their prey. So, the additional away you keep from the prey’s habitats, the much less probably you might be to run right into a lion.
Separate meals from camp. Mountain lions primarily stalk and hunt prey animals. However juvenile lions, which are sometimes chargeable for reported encounters, are extra opportunistic. They could really feel inclined to research the odor of meals — like the meat jerky or smoked venison you stuffed in your backpack. To keep away from encounters with any wildlife, it’s a good suggestion to maintain your foodstuffs far-off out of your campsite.
Steer clear of lion cubs. The unlucky Utah hiker who handled a hissing lion was simply meters from the lion’s cub, which spurred the lion’s aggressive posturing. Lions usually beginning one to 4 cubs at a time, and their inhabitants progress is accelerating. Lions with cubs are additionally more likely to enhance their vary seeking meals.
Which means you would run right into a pack of lions — an grownup with cubs. However one of these encounter is assured to ask aggressive habits, and doubtlessly a defensive assault. Should you see lion cubs, instantly exit the world in the identical path you got here.
What To Do If You Encounter a Mountain Lion
Should you love the outside and you reside in lion nation, you’re certain to cross by the territory of an enormous cat a couple of times. Likelihood encounters usually are not unusual. Lest you change into the following hiker to seize some shaky cellphone footage of an offended cougar someplace in a canyon, observe these steps throughout an encounter.
Don’t run. Operating into a big wild predator within the wilderness will immediately set off your fight-or-flight instincts. Comply with the previous; don’t ever flip and run from a cougar. That is sure to set off the cat’s predator response — they nearly universally take prey by chasing and attacking from behind.
Look huge. Make your self look greater to the cat. Open your jacket, elevate your arms and unfold your legs, and face the lion always. In case you have trek poles or any objects helpful, wave them round — and be ready to make use of them to defend your self.
Make noise. Communicate loudly, and make as a lot noise as attainable. There are many anecdotes of individuals scaring away mountain lions with loud music (Metallica, specifically) performed from a speaker or smartphone.
Preserve eye contact. You’ll have been instructed that staring down an animal is taken into account a problem that might invite an assault — particularly with canines — however, on this case, sustaining eye contact with the lion is a greatest observe.
Stand your floor. If the lion challenges you by approaching from a distance, stand your floor. To the lion, solely prey animals retreat. Lions don’t acknowledge a standing human as a typical prey animal. Standing your floor reinforces this truth.
Throw objects and retreat. But when the distances closes to an uncomfortable diploma, it’s time to behave as a possible risk: Gradual rocks, sticks, and different close by objects within the cat’s path, and slowly stroll backward to place area between you and the cat.
If a Mountain Lion Assaults
Do the whole lot to battle again. Grownup male lions weigh 135 to 175 kilos, whereas females weigh between 90 and 105 kilos. These are highly effective creatures with sharp claws and robust bites, however they aren’t insurmountable — and, in case you’re attacked, there’s nothing higher to do than battle again. Mountain lions normally assault the pinnacle and neck; do your greatest to guard these areas by remaining upright and going through the cat through the assault. Use any weapon accessible to you. A pointy crack to the cranium with a rock, or a blow to the physique with a pocket knife, might be sufficient to finish the assault.
Instantly Report All Sightings
Should you see a mountain lion close to any space frequented by individuals, instantly contact your native authorities. Should you’re close to a state park or forest, contact park officers or your state’s Division of Wildlife. If no contact info for rangers or DNR providers can be found, or in case you see a lion close to an city space, contact the native sheriff’s workplace or police division — they’ll both reply immediately, or contact the suitable wildlife service.
The submit Staying Safe Around Mountain Lions & What To Do if You Encounter One appeared first on AllOutdoor.com.