O.C. Cougar Sightings Make Trail Users Wary

It could be the prey. It could be the water. Maybe it’s just the ambience. But something, wildlife officials say, is drawing a young cougar to a man-made waterfall at the entrance to Dove Canyon in Orange County -- and making residents already wary from a fatal attack on a cyclist think twice about venturing out on nearby nature trails.

Steve Edinger, assistant chief of the California Department of Fish and Game, said that cougars, also known as mountain lions and pumas, are creatures of habit. If they find something good on a walk, they will return a week later.

“It’s been successful either drinking in that area or hunting an animal, but something draws it back,” Edinger said.

Security cameras first caught the cougar at Plano Trabuco Road and Dove Canyon Drive on March 24 about 3 a.m. It was caught on videotape again Wednesday about the same time. The animal, which officials estimate weighs 60 to 80 pounds, did not appear aggressive.

Where civilization meets wildlife is mountain lion territory, Edinger said. Around Dove Canyon are hills and horse and bike trails.

Wildlife officials have warned residents and students in the area not to venture out on the trails alone, especially in the early morning and late at night, when wild animals are out and about.

The trails surround Dove Canyon and Coto de Caza, another gated community on Plano Trabuco Road.

Most area residents and cyclists say they aren’t bothered by the cougar’s appearances.

“The [January mauling of a cyclist] was really unique and isolated. It was just circumstance,” said bicyclist Fred Hoekstra, 46. “I don’t think they’re out to hunt humans.”