When I talk to friends and coworkers about outdoor recreation, I have found that one of the biggest barriers to enjoying the outdoors is the fear of predators in wild places. More than half of California is mountain lion habitat and bears can be found up the coast, across Northern California, and down the Sierra’s. While the fear of large predators is perfectly valid, avoidance of all natural places because of this fear is not.
The likelihood of an attack by a mountain lion is statistically low, with 14 attacks recorded since 1890. Although bear incidents are much more frequent, actual attacks are not. The California Dept. of Fish and Game have recorded 12 bear attacks since 1980. Bear encounters often involve the mismanagement of food, causing the bear to be less afraid of humans.
Yosemite National Park’s website has a number of tips on what to do if you see a bear. Also, the California Department of Fish and Game has an educational campaign focused on teaching the public about wildlife safety. The program, titled “Keep Me Wild”, contains tips on what to do if you encounter wild animals such as bear, mountain lions, deer, coyotes, and turkeys.
Bear Country Precautions
- Keep a close watch on children, and teach them what to do if they encounter a bear.
- While hiking, make noise to avoid a surprise encounter with a bear.
- Never keep food in your tent.
- Store food and toiletries in bear-proof containers or in an airtight container in the trunk of your vehicle.
- Keep a clean camp by cleaning up and storing food and garbage immediately after meals.
- Use bear-proof garbage cans whenever possible or store your garbage in a secure location with your food.
- Never approach a bear or pick up a bear cub.
- If you encounter a bear, do not run; instead, face the animal, make noise and try to appear as large as possible.
- If attacked, fight back.
- If a bear attacks a person, immediately call 911.
Staying Safe in Mountain Lion Country Mountain lions are quiet, solitary and elusive, and typically avoid people. Mountain lion attacks on humans are extremely rare. However, conflicts are increasing as California’s human population expands into mountain lion habitat.
- Do not hike, bike, or jog alone.
- Avoid hiking or jogging when mountain lions are most active—dawn, dusk, and at night.
- Keep a close watch on small children.
- Do not approach a mountain lion.
- If you encounter a mountain lion, do not run; instead, face the animal, make noise and try to look bigger by waving your arms; throw rocks or other objects. Pick up small children.
- If attacked, fight back.
- If a mountain lion attacks a person,
immediately call 911.