“The mom of the mountain lions hopped up on the patio. I reached over real slow to grab my phone and snap a couple pictures and then right behind her came the three babies. I was just amazed. My whole life I’ve been waiting to see cats. Never seen a mountain lion the whole time I’ve lived up there.This morning, I got to see four of them at the same time. It just blew my mind. … Most amazing thing I’ve ever seen.”
It looks like they were having a drink from a little water feature on his porch and didn’t pay much mind to the dude filming behind the glass but lets not downplay how a dangerous a situation this could have been. Mountain lions can and do kill adult humans and should not be approached or underestimated in anyway. Go to bottom for mountain lion safety tips from the NPS.
If you encounter a lion, remember the goals are to convince it that you are not prey and that you may be dangerous. Follow these safety tips:
- 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 that 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. A human standing up is just not the right shape for a lion’s prey. Conversely, a person squatting or bending over resembles a four-legged prey animal. 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.
