Mountain lions are the largest wild cat in North America with the males weighing up to around 200 pounds (90kg). They’re generally very solitary animals, active most at dawn and dusk, but they’ll roam and hunt throughout the day or night in all seasons.
The chance of people running into one of the big cats in the wild are pretty slim, but people should still be aware of their presence when in mountain lion country. Sometimes trail closures or restrictions go into affect due to the presence or behavior of these cats, as is the case on British Columbia’s Rubble Creek trail at the current moment. Multiple mountain lion encounters, including the one captured in the video below, have led to the temporary closure.
The B.C. Parks and Conservation Officer Service responded to mountain lions in the Rubble Creek area on both Sunday, June 8th, and Monday, June 9th. In response and to ensure public safety, B.C. Parks has chosen to implement a trail closure that will be in affect for the next week. The trail is anticipated to reopen on Tuesday, June 17. Read more on mountain lion safety below.
International Society for Endangered Cats Mountain Lion Safety
Guidelines:
Hiking in Cougar Country
- Hike in groups of two or more, and make enough noise to avoid surprising a cougar
- Be extremely alert when biking in cougar country – a human on a bike looks like a deer running to a big cat. You can’t hear anything coming if you are wearing ear buds with music playing
- Carry a sturdy walking stick and pepper spray to be used as a weapon if necessary
- Keep children close and under control
- Watch for cougar tracks and signs
- Check with the local park office about wildlife sightings before your trip
- If you stumble upon cougar kittens, leave the area immediately as the female will defend her young
Hiking with Children
- Cougar seem to be attracted to children, due to their high pitched voices, small size and erratic movements which are all similar to small prey animals.
- Talk to children and teach them what to do if they encounter a cougar. Encourage them to play in groups, and always supervise children playing outdoors in cougar country
- A dog is an effective early warning system, as they see, smell and hear a cougar sooner than people
- Pick children up off the ground immediately. Children frighten easily and their rapid movements may trigger an attack
