Yellowstone National Park, known for its unique geothermal areas, geologic wonders, and vast wildlife viewing opportunities, is a significantly less popular tourist destination in the winter than the summer. Visitations drop dramatically between the months of November and April, with an average of just 4.06% of the park’s annual visitors attending during those six months.
Winter in Yellowstone is still an incredible experience for tourists, providing fantastic opportunities to experience the geothermal and geologic features in relative solitude. In addition, many animals seek refuge from deep snowpacks by moving towards lower elevations, creating unmatched wildlife viewing for visitors.
Yellowstone National Park is home to an estimated 34 to 42 mountain lions. In the winter they follow their main prey towards lower elevations where the snowpack is less dense. While they are around, especially in the park’s northern range, the elusive nature of the apex predators mean they’re very rarely seen by tourists. Occasionally a visitor will find themselves lucky enough to spot the animals in the wild, such was the case when this videographer was able to capture footage of two mountain lions among the snowy rocks of Yellowstone.
Mountain lion sightings, like the one above, usually occur from a distance and typically around dawn or dusk. Mountain lions are unpredictable and can be dangerous, and their presence shouldn’t be taken lightly. Animal carcasses should be avoided in mountain lion territory, as the animals will sometimes return to kill sights over several days. Read more on cougar safety below:
National Park Service Mountain Lion Safety Guidelines:
- Do not jog or hike alone. Go in groups with adults supervising children.
- Keep children close to you. Do not allow children to play along river banks, in heavy vegetation, or alone at dawn or dusk. When hiking with children, watch them closely and never let them run ahead of you. Observations of captured wild mountain lions reveal that the animals seem especially drawn to children.
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.