They’ve got those lion eyes
State wildlife officials say more people are reporting encounters with mountain lions across California since the recent attacks on two Orange County cyclists.
An average of 400 cougar sightings are reported annually, but the Department of Fish and Game says the number of sightings has nearly tripled so far this year. Lions are not behaving differently, DFG says. People are being more alert.
“It’s typical for reported sightings to spike after a high-profile incident such as an encounter or attack,” said state wildlife biologist Doug Updike. “We saw the same phenomenon after the two fatal mountain lion attacks in 1994.”
Mountain lions inhabit about half the state. Only 3% of sightings result in a cougar being declared a public threat.
To stay out of danger outdoors, trek with a buddy, don’t run from a lion or approach one, and avoid crouching, a posture thought to be a factor in one of the recent attacks.
-- Gary Polakovic
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