Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly in a loud voice. Attempt to appear larger by raising your arms and opening your jacket if you are wearing one.If the mountain lion moves in your direction or acts aggressively: If you're in mountain lion habitat, avoid squatting, crouching, or bending over, even when picking up children. On the other hand, a person squatting or bending over looks a lot like a four-legged prey animal. Biologists surmise mountain lions don't recognize standing humans as prey. Although it may be awkward, pick them up without bending over or turning away from the mountain lion. If you have small children with you, pick them up, if possible, so they don't panic and run. Running may stimulate a mountain lion's instinct to chase. Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation. Never approach a mountain lion, especially one that is feeding or with kittens. Keep children within your sight at all times. Hike in groups, with adults supervising children. We offer the following recommendations to increase your safety:ĭo not hike alone. There is a far greater risk, for example, of being killed in an automobile accident with a deer than of being attacked by a mountain lion. Even so, the potential for being killed or injured by a mountain lion is quite low compared to many other natural hazards. Although lion attacks are rare, they are possible, as is injury from any wild animal. Mountain lions are an important part of the park ecosystem, helping to keep deer and other prey populations in check.
Such conditions exist within Point Reyes National Seashore.
They are most commonly found in areas with plentiful prey and adequate cover. Generally, mountain lions are calm, quiet and elusive.