Incredible roadside wildlife sighting from northern California where filmmaker Justin Taylor Smith was able to grab some spontaneous video of mountain lion running beside his vehicle. The chance encounter happened near Susanville where mountain lions are relatively common.
Judging from the stripped pattern and lingering spots on the cat’s coat, this is likely a subadult. Cautious not to cause the mountain lion any undo stress, Smith pulled over and observed it from a safe distance before the cat found a break in the fence line and disappeared into the hills.
“Saw this absolute beaut from the road today in Northern California while taking the scenic route south back from the northlands. I had to pull over and just sit there and watch it as it stared, like the whole universe was staring right back at me. Then just like that, it was gone.”
Upon reflection Justin Taylor Smith was grateful for this brief moment spent in the company of an apex predator. He had this to say about the encounter:
“I do not know what spiritual meaning seeing such a creature is, but I am sure it is something quite special. How lucky I was to share this moment. Farewell you beauty!”
US FISH & GAME MOUNTAIN LION SAFETY GUIDELINES:
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. If you encounter a cougar, make yourself appear larger, more aggressive. Open your jacket, raise your arms, and throw stones, branches, etc., without turning away. Wave raised arms slowly, and speak slowly, firmly, loudly to disrupt and discourage predatory behavior
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Try to remain standing to protect head and neck and, if attacked, fight back with whatever is at hand (without turning your back)—people have used rocks, jackets, garden tools, tree branches, and even bare hands to turn away cougars.
6. Don’t approach a cougar. Most cougars want to avoid humans. Give a cougar the time and space to steer clear of you.
7. Supervise children, especially outdoors between dusk and dawn. Educate them about cougars and other wildlife they might encounter.
8. Always hike, backpack, and camp in wild areas with a companion.
9. Don’t feed wildlife. Don’t leave food outside. Both may attract cougars by attracting their natural prey.
10. Keep pets secure. Roaming pets are easy prey for cougars.
