(Photo: Wikimedia Commons/National Park Service)
Residents in Southern California are concerned about the increasing number of mountain lion sightings in the area, mainly because of its potential impact on their household pets.
Mountain Lion Sightings in Southern California Increased
The residents of Thousand Oaks claimed to have seen a newborn mountain lion prowling around their front yards, apparently searching for food. In one video captured by a doorbell camera, the animal can be seen chasing a cat.
It wasn't at full size, so we had to take another look at it, enlarge it, and do other things before realizing that it was, in fact, a baby mountain lion, according to Mark McGee.
Neighbors expressed some concerns regarding their safety due to an attack reported months ago. In March, a man aged 21 passed away in Georgetown following an assault by a mountain lion. It marked the first fatality from a mountain lion in California in two decades.
When the attack started, the victim's 18-year-old brother contacted 911, and the sheriff's deputies scared the animal off with a gun. Still, it was too late to save the man.
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Are Mountain Lions Dangerous?
The mountain lion is the puma, cougar, and panther. Although mountain lions can be pretty sizable, they are not among the big cats. However, they are the largest of the "small cats."
Mountain lions are powerful, nimble, and dynamic hunters living in various environments. Due to their tendency to prefer their own space in the wild, humans typically find mountain lions in uninhabited locations.
Although it's uncommon to see one, it is even more unusual to be attacked by one. However, it is feasible. It's conceivable that mountain lions will strike if they feel threatened. It's a good idea to be prepared for mountain lion encounters if you live, camp, or walk in an area where these enormous cats are known to reside.
In Missouri, insufficient proof supports claims that the mountain lion population has attacked humans, animals, or pets. Traffic, stray dogs, and lightning strikes pose a far larger risk to people, livestock, and pets than mountain lions. While attacks by mountain lions on humans are uncommon, they have happened in several western states.
The Wildlife Code protects mountain lions. However, section 3 CSR 10-4.130 (6) permits killing any mountain lion that threatens human safety or attacks or kills domestic animals or livestock.
Dead mountain lions that were killed defending people or property must be reported to MDC right away, and the intact body, including the pelt, must be turned in within a day.
Apparently, mountain lions are not dangerous, as the number of attacks reported is incredibly rare. However, the increasing sightings may also increase the chances of attack. Cougars may feel threatened when encountering humans because they are protective animals, which may lead to an attack.
To avoid an attack, it's best to travel in groups and keep your distance if you spot a mountain lion. Stay alert and make noise to scare the animal away. It's also best to avoid feeding wildlife, as this may attract mountain lions or their prey.
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