October 18, 2011

Warning: Mountain Lion Siting

A Duarte Mesa resident reported seeing a mountain lion (cougar) last night (October 17, 2011) in the area of Mt. Olive and Rim Road.  The sighting has not been confirmed by animal control or law enforcement.  All residents that live along the foothills should exercise caution and be vigilant to the realities of wildlife.  In the case of cougars there are things you can do to enhance your safety and that of friends and family.

1.        When it  comes to personal safety, always be aware of your surroundings, wherever you are; conduct yourself and attend to children and dependents accordingly.
2.       Landscape for safety.  Remove vegetation that provides cover for cougars.  Remove plants that attract wildlife (deer, raccoons, etc.).  By attracting them you naturally attract their predator the cougar.
3.       Don’t feed wildlife (it is prohibited).  Don’t leave pet food outside.  Both may attract cougars by attracting their natural prey.
4.       Keep pets secure.  Roaming pets are easy prey for cougars.
5.       Don’t approach a cougar.  Most cougars want to avoid humans.  Give a cougar the time and space to steer clear of you.
6.       Supervise children, especially outdoors between dusk and dawn.  Educate them about cougars and other wildlife they might encounter.
7.       Always hike, backpack, and camp in wild areas with a companion.
8.       Never run past or from a cougar.  This may trigger their instinct to chase.  Make eye contact.  Stand your ground.  Pick up small children without, if possible, turning away or bending over.
9.       Never bend over or crouch down.  Doing so causes humans to resemble four legged prey animals.  Crouching down or bending over also makes the neck and back of the head vulnerable.
10.   If you encounter a cougar, make yourself appear larger, more aggressive.  Open your jacket, raise your arms, throw stones, branches, etc., without turning away.  Wave raised arms slowly, speak slowly, firmly, and loudly to disrupt and discourage predatory behavior.
11.   Try to remain standing to protect your head and neck and, if attacked, fight back with whatever is at hand (without turning your back).  People have utilized rocks, jackets, garden tools, tree branches, and even hands to turn away cougars.

Should you spot a mountain lion please call Temple Sheriff’s Station at 626-448-9861. Thank you for your cooperation.