Mountain lion attacks are a nightmare scenario for anyone traveling in the backcountry but they are in fact quite rare. There have only been around 29 cases of fatal mountain lion attacks in North America since 1868 which averages out to 0.18 fatal attacks per year. For perspective, lightning strike fatalities are far more common, killing approximately 20 people per year in the United States alone. Despite their rarity mountain lion attacks can and do happen and anyone recreating in mountain lion territory should know what to do during an encounter.
Alberta, Canada is home to an estimated 2,050 mountain lions, with populations highly concentrated in the mountains, foothills, and southern boreal forest. Male mountain lions are typically solitary animals, while females travel with their kittens until the young reach around one or two years old. Young male cougars can outgrow their mothers during this time and are occasionally misidentified as breeding partners. Despite sometimes being smaller than their male offspring, mother mountain lions will fiercely defend their cubs from perceived threats.
The following footage was taken on a country road approximately 60 miles from Grande Prairie, Alberta by a trail runner who was out for a 10k when he came within 8 feet of two mountain lions. Thankfully the man was already aware the apex predators were in the area and had his bear spray in hand when they pounced from the woods.
Whether this was a predatory encounter or simply a mother defending her offspring is impossible to tell but one thing is for sure, this man’s preparedness and reaction time quickly shutdown the mountain lions advance.
If you should ever encounter an aggressive mountain lion, do not run or turn your back. Instead, face the lion, maintain eye contact, make yourself appear as large as possible and slowly back away while speaking firmly and loudly to intimidate the animal. If the lion approaches or attacks, fight back aggressively using any available objects while aiming for the eyes and face. Carrying bear spray like this trail runner is also an effective deterrent. Learn more about safely traveling in mountain lion country from Alberta Parks below.
Alberta Parks Mountain Lion Safety Guidelines:
Hiking In Mountain Lion Country:
- If possible, never travel alone in the backcountry; keep your group together at all times.
- Keep children close at hand.
- Check with your local Alberta Environment and Parks office about wildlife sightings before your trip.
- Be aware of your surroundings; learn to recognize signs of cougar activity such as tracks, scat and markings.
- Avoid areas where carcasses have been left; be aware that cougars often cover their kills with forest debris.
- Carry a walking stick and pepper spray (make sure you know how to properly use pepper spray).
- Make noise to alert cougars to your presence.
- It is best to leave your pet at home, however if you do travel with a pet, keep it on a leash at all times.
- If you come across cougar kittens, leave them alone and immediately leave the area; a mother cougar will aggressively defend her young
If You See a Cougar
- Never approach a cougar; although they will normally avoid confrontation, they are unpredictable.
- Always leave room for a cougar to easily escape.
- Immediately pick up your children; children frighten easily and may run, triggering an attack.
- Don’t turn your back on a cougar; face the cougar and slowly back away.
- Don’t run or play dead; try to back away slowly (running, or any sudden movement, may trigger an attack).
- Stay calm; talk to the cougar in a strong, firm voice.
- Make yourself appear as large as possible by holding your arms or an object above your head.
If a Cougar is Aggressive
- Try to appear as if you are the predator rather than the prey; actions such as shouting, waving a stick or throwing rocks may help prevent an attack.
- If a cougar does attack, fight back! People have survived by using their bare fists, sticks, fishing rods, rocks and other items to fend off a cougar attack.
