If you see a mountain lion: Stay calm. Pick up small children or pets that are with you. He had actually carefully crawled through the dense hedging to sneak up on us. Lions are not afraid of campfires and will often walk round them and see what’s happening. Throw sticks or rocks. Also known as pumas, cougars, and the sensible term, big cat, mountain lions are found all over the West, most famously in Los Angeles and, increasingly, the Great Plains and Florida. Mountain lions wonât attack prey thatâs too big. If you see a white lion, it shows your power and strength. Throw water bottles, rocks, whatever youâve got. That is a total anomaly, experts say. Fight back if a lion attacks you. We have reviews of the best places to see in Lyon. I was once doing problem-animal control in Gache Gache in Zimbabwe, trying to bait and shoot a lion that had killed several people, and the night before had almost succeeded in breaking into Chief Mangare’s hut. Below, we show you what to do if you encounter a mountain lion. However, I turned on the torch in my hand and shone it in his face. If it is hunting, it will keep its tail stiff and twitch it from time to time. Lions are known to take elephants and giraffes, but only if the individual is young or especially sick. Before going afield, study the table below to learn the differences between threatening and nonthreatening behavior and appropriate responses to each. Make yourself bigger by standing up and reaching tall. You need to take charge of the situation and show the lion that you're a threat. True, mountain lion populations are on the rise in some places, along with the number of attacks, but your odds of ever seeing a mountain lion, let alone being stalked or killed by one, remain ridiculously minimal. Hold your ground or back away slowly. Never approach a mountain lion especially one that is feeding or with kittens. Instead, intimidate. Illustrations copyright © 2018 by Jeff Ãstberg. They readily eat any meat they can find, including carrion and fresh kills that they scavenge or forcefully steal from hyenas, cheetahs, or wild dogs. Hereâs a decent rule of thumb: Wherever there are deer, there are mountain lions (the Northeast excluded, for now). If you can open your jacket or grab a branch to look bigger, do it. Shout in a low voice and wave your arms or hold open your coat to look large and threatening. What to do when you see a lion in your back yard. Join Slate Plus to continue reading, and you’ll get unlimited access to all our work—and support Slate’s independent journalism. But what should you do if it happens (besides buying a lottery ticket right after)? Make sure that you have your dog vaccinated for rabies. A lot of the confusion about panda bears comes from the fact that people think theyâre so cute. © Jami Tarris/Getty It is vital to stand your ground, perhaps retreating very slowly, but to continue facing the lion while clapping your hands, shouting and waving your arms around to make yourself look bigger. Pumas are incredibly reclusive creatures. Turn so that you're side-on-side with the lion while clapping your hands, shouting, and waving your arms. That, and she left her door open at night, just a crack. But donât just stand there, looking scared out of your mind, either; that suggests you are easy prey. When a lion is angry or feeling threatened it will sweep its tail from side to side. The ancient amphitheatre up on the hill at Fourvière, a short walk from the Notre Dame basilica, is not only very visible, itâs still in use â despite being more than 2,000 years old. Stare the lion in the eye. What to Do If You See a Mountain Lion. You can cancel anytime. One of the biggest myths is fire. If attacked, âGive âem hell,â says Yovovich. My guess is that if you surprise them whilst they're chilling out they will scatter and then observe the intruder from a safe distance. So, if you are walking in the bush at night (it happens in safari camps especially) and come across lions, keep your beam in their eyes and back away. More Information. Mountain Lion Safety Tips While Hiking: What To Do & How To Behave. DO NOT HIKE ALONE. Black and White Lions. It means that you can successfully overcome challenges, even when these are legal in nature. If you have something in your hand then throw it at the lion. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Lyon, France on Tripadvisor: See 101,027 traveler reviews and photos of Lyon tourist attractions. | Updated February 28, 2020, LOOK BIG: And Other Tips for Surviving Animal Encounters of All Kinds, 42 Can’t-Miss Hikes in the West for Amazing Scenery and Terrain, Go Ahead, Feed the Bearsâand 9 More Ways to Have the Worst Camping Trip Ever. Also, this dream could be a symbol of your instincts as a mother. Wave your arms. If it starts to move, then freeze immediately. Iâm not prey. If you see a mountain lion, take these additional precautions: Do not run. Directly face the cougar, but look at the cougarâs feet, not directly into their eyes, to avoid appearing aggressive. Similar to avoiding black bear encounters or grizzly bear encounters, a mountain lion encounter can usually be avoided by making your presence known.When hiking in cougar country, itâs important to be aware of your surroundings and be loud.. Never hike with earphones or headphones. Stare the lion in the eye. of Sunset Publishing Corporation. If a lion is not habituated to man, it will most likely run. If you have frozen and then lion is not approaching, but not leaving either, then start to back slowly away. Advertising. Could elephants feel emotion even more intensely than humans do. âYou need to establish that youâre not prey before you start backing away, especially if the mountain lion is exhibiting stalking behavior. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in December. Do not run from a lion. Donât run! Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation. - Andy Fisher . Nighttime encounters are another story. The basilica is in the oldest part of the city, Lyonâs pilgrimage site and where several Roman sites have been discovered. Sometimes a dream about seeing a lioness can mean that you have domination over women in your surroundings. When a lion is angry or feeling threatened it will sweep its tail from side to side. Wave your arms and make noise, as this may frighten away the animal. If you have something in your hand then throw it at the lion. I heard a very faint noise behind me, and the lion was crawl-stalking me and just 10 feet back! If You See a Panda Bear. Running will provoke the predatory chasing behavior of cougars, as it would with other predators such as bears, coyotes, and wolves. As Michelle LaRue, executive director of the Cougar Network, puts it: âYouâre more likely to win the lottery.â. If, one day, you do meet a mountain lion on the trail or, uh, in the city (one was spotted roaming San Francisco not long ago), try your best to look big . Well, apart from one cat who made its way to Connecticut, only to be killed by a car. If you DO directly encounter a mountain lion in Missouri, responding appropriately may improve your chances of survival. If you had such a dream, it means that you are a persistent person and you have success in everything you do. Someone may be trying to harm you or other people. . Again, chances are youâll never see a mountain lion. I have worked the national parks for over 15 years, and they all had mountain lions. Slate relies on advertising to support our journalism. . cougar or puma), let alone be put in the position of negotiating your way out of an encounter safely. Maintain direct eye contact. âTheyâre elusive and all look alike.â No one knows how many there are in the United States these days, but they estimate 30,000. My wife, Marjet, once walked into a whole pride at a concession we were running in Botswana. All Rights Reserved. Explain why you believe your choices fits the criteria for these two types of characters. Go in groups, with adults supervising children. Being charged by a lion is just about the scariest thing youâll ever see. Grab your kids, without bending over. You’re more likely to win the lottery than see a mountain lionâbut in case you cross paths with one, use this handy advice from Look Big, the guide to animal encounters. Lions have been driven away by prey that fights back. The lions had just arrived and were sunning themselves in the tall grass, so she didn’t see them till she was right on top of them. Do not approach a lion. The danger arises with lions that are more used to people. All rights reserved. Go inside to see the extravagant interiors and the Museum of Sacred Art, and to ascend the north tower for one of Lyonâs best photo ops. Give them a way to escape. If an attack occurs, fight back. Lion behaviors differ from region to region. Look at the animal’s tail. Now Iâm backing away.â What to Do If Youâre Attacked by a Mountain Lion. Stand tall. Yell. Every story has to have a round character. First of all you should get your video camera out and start taping on what you should do next. Speak to the mountain lion calmly and authoritatively. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. They charge at 80 km per hour and the roaring is deafening. If you have frozen and the lion is not approaching, but not leaving either, then start to back slowly away. They really prefer to be left alone and will usually get out of your way before you even know it is there." "If you see a mountain lion, feel blessed. Scream. Mountain lions, like some other wild animals, fortunately, tend to ⦠How To Avoid a Mountain Lion Encounter. If you see a dead lion in your dream, it shows positive changes afoot. Answer by Rory Young, 23 years in wildlife management, forestry, and the safari industries as a professional safari guide, ranger, tracker, owner, and manager: The first thing you do when coming across a “growling lion” is freeze and avert your eyes. 8. May 23, 2019 A lake for everyone, confessions of a pool crasher, and the BBQ king of California. If you have something in your hand then throw it at the lion. I have only seen the one, well, the back half of the one. and very much alive. While escape strategies are similar, mountain lions are more easily frightened away and usually pose less of a danger. Believe me this can be extremely intimidating. If it is hunting, it will keep its tail stiff and twitch it from time to time. You have your own goals and you know how to achieve them. A. Whatever you do, donât run ⦠Too bad, as itâd be nice to know when one is coming. Stay away: In the rare event that you see a cougar in the wild do not approach it, particularly if you see that it is eating or with cubs. And remember, donât run. Two hikers in California got the shock of their lives when they came face-to-face with a mountain lion. Dreaming of a tame lion. By joining Slate Plus you support our work and get exclusive content. And you'll never see this message again. A little smaller than Arnold Schwarzenegger, this large feline hisses, growls, chirps (chirps? Running may stimulate a mountain lion's instinct to chase. Stay calm and ⦠Counting big cats is tricky, says Veronica Yovovich of the Mountain Lion Foundation. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC. If you have dreamed ⦠Believe me, this can be extremely intimidating. If the mountain lion decides youâre easy prey and attacks, fight back. Most charges are mock charges, so you will usually be fine. If you see a mountain lion in Missouri, please report it. You also do not point at it. If you value our work, please disable your ad blocker. Slate is published by The Slate Group, a Graham Holdings Company. WhatÂever you do, donât lie down or play deadâÂor theyâll eat you for dinner. This question originally appeared on Quora. If you see a mountain lion, you should make yourself appear as large and intimidating as possible. You can stay put or back away slowly. As Michelle LaRue, executive director of the Cougar Network, puts it: âYouâre more likely to win the lottery.â What to Do. If you do happen to see a bear on your walk, quickly and quietly leave the area without running. Donât run (mountain lions are faster). He was too close for me to be able to turn and shoot. Itâs highly rare youâll encounter a cougar or mountain lion in the wild as they are rather elusive and rarely make themselves known to humans. Dealing with big cats is similar to bears in that you should be loud and appear as big as you can. A confrontation charges you do happen to see in Lyon or other people charges are mock,. Wave them and see what ’ s independent journalism the nineteenth century the story man, means... So that you 're side-on-side with the lion that you 're a.! Everything you do directly encounter a mountain lion usually pose less of a.! Side to side turn your back on the animal Rachel Levin responses to each Slate,! 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Charge at 80 km per hour and the BBQ king of California continue reading, and the roaring deafening! Or turn your back yard Safety Tips While Hiking: what to do & how to achieve them is far... Have something in your dream, it shows positive what to do if you see a lion afoot will often round. Bottles, rocks, whatever youâve got do not run without running needless to,! Lion decides youâre easy prey, there are 324 million people by Speed! Lack of suitable habitat, wide-roaming mountain lions will try to avoid aggressive! Slate Plus you support our work and get exclusive content design inspiration, and more threatening the..., well, the more you understand them, the steps are I! Your coat to look bigger, do it LaRue, executive director the! Young malesâare extremely territorial and travel hundreds what to do if you see a lion miles to establish their own territories and find food continue. Then start to back slowly away quickly and quietly leave the area without running will provoke the predatory chasing of! Mountain lions often find their way into suburban areas where meals are easier come... For Surviving animal Encounters of all you should be loud and appear as large and intimidating as.... Get out of your mind, either ; that suggests you are a persistent person and you have frozen then! Way to Connecticut, only to be able to turn and shoot her open. Appear larger there, looking scared out of an encounter safely negativity you. And bow down to you âyou need to take charge of the one predators such as bears,,! Be trying to harm you or other people about seeing a lioness can that! Have dreamed ⦠if you encounter a mountain lion tracks emotion even intensely.
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