Posted on 10/30/2023 3:20:13 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Editor’s note: This story was updated to correct the date of the event.
Officials with the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in Malibu announced the temporary closure of Solstice Canyon after a young mountain lion attempted to attack a small, leashed dog walking with its owner.
The encounter, according to officials, happened Tuesday morning. While intervening to protect his dog, the hiker suffered a puncture wound and a scratch on his hand. The dog was uninjured.
“A scratch basically, just minor injuries,” Seth Riley, the wildlife branch chief for the US National Park Service, told LAist. “He was able to grab the dog and keep the lion from capturing it.”
National Park Service rangers provided the hiker with first aid on the scene.
Out of an abundance of caution and because a second young mountain lion was spotted in the immediate area, officials closed the park until 8 a.m. Thursday while wildlife biologists examined the area and assessed the situation.
“Mountain lions are unpredictable, wild animals,” officials said. “While conflicts with humans are rare, there is always a risk when are recreating in areas used by mountain lions.”
If you do encounter a mountain lion, experts recommend that you:
Make yourself appear as large and intimidating as possible by yelling, waving your arms and even throwing objects in the direction of the animal
Slowly back away and allow space for the big cats to move away
Do not turn your back and run
The National Park Service requires pets to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times
More information on avoiding encounters and coexisting with mountain lions can be found here.
““Mountain lions are unpredictable, wild animals,” officials said.”
Well no sh*t Sherlock.
“Make yourself appear as large and intimidating as possible...”
I read that part, thought of cats puffing themselves up to look big and scary when about to fight, thought of myself inhaling to make myself look bigger, pushing out my chest, raising my shoulders a little, holding my arms out at my sides but away from my body by about 6 inches to look bigger...
then I notice the rest of the instructions in the sentence...
“...by yelling, waving your arms and even throwing objects in the direction of the animal”.
I be dead.
Why? No arms?
Why wouldn't he have a can of bear spray at least? Gun would be better but some folks...
Firearms aren’t banned there. It’s a national park. In practice wearing one would probably end up getting the rangers called on you if you weren’t careful. Though mountain lions aren’t as hard to kill as bears by any means. 9mm or 38+P would do nicely. No need for 454 Casuls.
Who goes out there without a 38 or something? Senseless to go into the wilderness without a pistol.
Exactly. American cats are notoriously easy to put down. They do poorly upon being shot with anything. They are built light for a sneak attack, hopefully succeeding on that first surprise bite to the neck.
38 or a 9 would be good medicine.
The Wrath of Sausage Dog!
Yep, it’s a national park but not a “National Park”.
😆
“Out of an abundance of caution...”
GACK...can’t they all retire that incredibly obnoxious COVID verbal tic?
Whatever happened to the simple “To be on the safe side...”?
Don’t do that. Fell over backwards in my chair laughing.
Now, most of them aren't like the above at all, but there are a few that would rather hang out with people than go eat dogs. :P
😆
Lawyers happened. It’s California.
Fear not with LA county wisdom they are going to build a bridge over the 101 freeway so the lions will have more room to roam for feeding.
Dogs and cat thinning I guess.
It’s California Jim
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