A wildlife technician in the Southwest Region of Idaho went to investigate the death of a GPS-collared mule deer in the Owyhees when she encountered an adult mountain lion along with two nearby juveniles.
Idaho Fish & Game staff frequently do critically important field work, monitoring and managing wildlife populations, but this work can come with danger. The death investigation of the GPS-collared mule was part of an ongoing research project looking at the multiple factors that affect buck survival.
The wildlife technician arrived at the collar’s GPS location when she encountered the mountain lions near the carcass, capturing part of the encounter on camera.
Investigations in the Owyhees in recent years have shown that mountain lion predation in a leading cause of death for both mule deer and California bighorn sheep, so Fish and Game staff often anticipate that they might walk into a mountain lion kill when investigating mortality signals. However, as they’re usually shy and secretive creatures who generally run from human presence, seeing a mountain lion during these death investigations in rare.
Fortunately the ranger knew how to handle this situation and was able to move away without the animal charging or attacking. If you find yourself in a mountain lion encounter, Idaho Fish & Game recommends the following:
- Do not run
- Do not turn your back on the lion, crouch down, or try to hide
- Remain facing the lion and slowly back away. Leave the animal an escape route
- Try to appear as large as possible
- Shout, wave your arms, and throw objects if the lion does not back off
