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Mountain Lions in June Lake? |
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Friday, 07 December 2007 |
Not...most likely
By Melanie Tunget
June Lake Correspondent
For many of us residing in the Eastern Sierra, living with wildlife just comes with the territory. This is where we have chosen to live for the amazing beauty, abundance of recreational activities and solitude; however, despite the choice to live in this very natural and rural place, some fear the wildlife living among us. While we certainly have some very intimidating species residing with us, including mountain lions, black bears and even the coyote, they are an important part of our habitat; living with them is a way of life. We all need to learn how to coexist with nature safely—a definite must if you are going to spend any time dwelling in the Eastern Sierra.
In recent months, rumors have circulated about mountain lion sightings and possible attacks on domestic animals, mainly dogs, in the June Lake area. The information has made its way into bars and neighborhoods and it is creating a heightened sense of awareness and some fear in the community. The rumors express concern over the safety of our pets and even our own lives as the discussions make their way through town. Are the concerns really valid and do we really have something to fear? Most of us can probably answer that question for ourselves by looking at our environment and doing a little research.
When questioned about the validity of the rumors of mountain lion sightings and attacks in June Lake, Becky Pierce, Ph.D., and Associate Wildlife Biologist for the Department of Fish and Game, said, “I haven’t had any recent reports, but it doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened. It is possible that something has happened and I may not have heard about it yet,” adding that the Game Warden usually passes on this information to her and to date she hasn’t heard of any sightings or attacks in the area. The other possible reason Pierce hasn’t had any recent reports is that people don’t always report mountain lion sightings or incidents; they just know mountain lions are around and come with the territory. Reports have certainly been made before, but most of the time the sighting investigations don’t turn out to be a mountain lion after all.
According to Pierce, there are several common mistakes that occur when mountain lion reports are made. One mistake is animal misidentification—people will confuse a bobcat for a mountain lion. Another common error is misidentifying tracks for those of a mountain lion when the tracks actually belong to a dog or other type of animal. Screams sometimes heard in the wild, which are often mistaken for those of a mountain lion, are ordinarily the result of raccoons fighting or a deer being killed. A female mountain lion in heat will make a loud yowling noise, but it is not a scream. Mountain lions are quiet and solitary animals that generally avoid people. While a mountain lion can be bold, it is very rare. An attack on a human is extremely rare and Pierce hasn’t heard of any around this area; however, an attack on a pet is not entirely uncommon and happens more in some years than others.
Steve Searles, known in the area for his specialty work with raccoons, coyotes and black bears, was also questioned about any mountain lion encounters or recent attacks he has heard about. Searles stated that he hasn’t heard of anything lately; he did, however, add, “It wouldn’t be uncommon to spot a mountain lion, though they are rarely seen.” Searles has resided in the Eastern Sierra for decades and said that in 30 years he can count on one hand how many times he has seen a mountain lion. He says it is rare to see a mountain lion because it is “an elusive, solitary animal and doesn't hang around others.” He mentions that statistically it's safer to encounter a mountain lion than it is to do a lot of other things, such as bungee jumping or playing golf in the rain. Another point to consider: “We are not part of their [mountain lions] food chain.” As far as sightings go, Searles, like Pierce, pointed out that people misidentify animals all the time. He suggests that people take the time to do some research on their own, explore statistics and learn about the animals in their environment.
Here are a few facts from the Wikipedia online encyclopedia to get your education started:
The mountain lion is also known as a cougar, puma or panther.
The mountain lion is a large and solitary cat.
The mountain lion is most active at dusk and at dawn.
The mountain lion is a carnivore and therefore only eats meat.
Deer is one of the most vital prey species to the mountain lion.
Domestic livestock, sheep, cattle, horses, Bighorn sheep, small rodents and insects are also in the mountain lion’s food chain.
Mountain lions are silent stalkers that ambush their prey.
Mountain lions generally don’t identify humans as prey.
A mountain lion's lifespan is between eight and 13 years.
Humans are the only species that prey on adult mountain lions.
They enjoy habitats that include steep canyons, rim rocks, thick brush and cliffs.
It is important to keep in mind that people generally fear the unknown. This is why it is important for people to educate themselves, especially when it comes to the unfamiliar. Here are a few tips meshed together based on information from Pierce and Searles in the event of a mountain lion encounter:
1.Make eye contact.
2.Evaluate the body posture of the cougar.
3.Remember, the lion will generally leave you alone.
4.If the cougar crouches or moves toward you, shout, throw things at it, pop your hands up in the air and stomp your feet; instinct will tell the animal to leave.
5.Continue to face the cougar as you move away from it.
6.Again, it is important to remember that the mountain lion will generally leave you alone.
Use your best judgment and always be aware of your surroundings.
People will naturally view things differently; some will remain fearful of the possibility of a mountain lion encounter while others will embrace a sighting as a rare and beautiful opportunity. The important thing is to protect yourself and your animals and be safe and aware no matter what your environment. There will always be rumors, just consider your sources carefully, and, if in doubt or you have questions or concerns, contact the Department of Fish and Game or other knowledgeable authorities and get the facts from them. Take the time to educate yourself to reduce anxiety and fear and learn the facts about mountain lions. You should feel more confident and less fearful in the event that you do encounter a mountain lion. |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 21 December 2007 )
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