Mountain lions, also known as cougars or pumas, are the largest cats in North America, occupying a vast range extending from Canada to South America. These solitary predators thrive in diverse habitats, including mountainous terrain, dense forests, and the fringes of urban areas. While encounters are uncommon, their increasing presence near human populations makes preparedness relevant for safety. Knowing how to react is important, as the mountain lion’s natural instinct is to avoid humans, but predatory instincts can be triggered by certain behaviors.
Preventing Encounters Near Your Home
The most effective way to avoid an encounter is to eliminate factors that draw mountain lions to residential properties. Since mountain lions primarily prey on deer, discouraging deer from congregating near your home removes their main food source. Avoid feeding wildlife, including deer or small prey animals like raccoons, as this can inadvertently lure the predators that hunt them.
Securing food sources is another important defense. Keep garbage secured in heavy containers and feed pets indoors, or immediately remove their food dishes after they eat. Eliminate potential hiding spots by trimming dense vegetation, brush, and shrubs around your home and play areas. Installing motion-activated outdoor lighting can also deter a mountain lion, as they prefer to hunt under the cover of darkness.
If You See a Mountain Lion Far Away
If you spot a mountain lion that is not approaching you, remain calm and avoid triggering its predatory response. Never run, as this mimics the behavior of prey and instantly activates the cat’s instinct to chase and attack. Instead, slowly back away while maintaining constant eye contact with the animal. Predators often interpret a direct gaze as a sign of confidence.
Make yourself appear as large and intimidating as possible to convince the lion that you are not easy prey. Raise your arms above your head, open your jacket, or hoist a backpack to increase your perceived size. Speak firmly and loudly in a low-pitched voice, yelling words like “Go away!” or “Leave me alone!” to confirm you are human. Avoid high-pitched sounds, which can mimic the distress call of an injured animal.
Responding to an Approaching or Aggressive Lion
When a mountain lion begins to approach or shows signs of aggression, such as flattening its ears or twitching its tail, transition to active confrontation. The cat must perceive you as a significant risk not worth the effort of an attack, so maintain your intimidating posture and assert dominance. Continue to yell aggressively. If you have children, immediately pick them up without crouching or bending over, which makes you appear smaller and more vulnerable.
Shout and throw objects like rocks, sticks, or water bottles at the lion, aiming for the ground near it as a warning, or directly at the animal if it persists. If an attack occurs, fight back fiercely, using whatever you have available, such as hiking poles, rocks, or your bare hands. Focus your counterattack on the most sensitive areas, specifically the eyes and nose. Protect your neck and head, as the lion will instinctively target these areas for a fatal bite.
After an Encounter: Reporting and Safety Checks
Once the mountain lion has retreated, immediately report the incident to local or state wildlife authorities. Contacting the state fish and wildlife department or a local park ranger office is necessary, even if the sighting was non-aggressive. Provide specific details regarding the location, time, and the cat’s behavior, especially if it was aggressive or showed no fear of humans. This information helps wildlife management track habituated animals.
After an encounter, check yourself, your children, and your pets for any injuries and seek medical attention if necessary. Also, check the immediate area for signs the lion may have left, such as tracks, scat, or a cached kill, which indicates its continued presence. Documenting physical evidence like tracks with photographs or plaster casts can aid wildlife officials in their assessment.