Roseville Animal Control has received two calls reporting the sighting of a mountain lion in our City.
Encountering a mountain lion is a rare event. Most mountain lions attempt to be elusive and quiet. It’s very unusual for a cougar like this to be in a populated residential area.
Chances of being attacked by a mountain lion are extremely low, but it’s always a good idea to know what to do if you ever encounter one.
Here are a few tips to keep you and your family safe:
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Go in groups when you walk or hike near wooded areas that mountain lions have been sighted and make plenty of noise
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Do not approach a lion. Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation. Give them a way to escape.
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Stay calm when you come upon a lion. Talk calmly and firmly to it. Move slowly.
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Stop or back away slowly, if you can do it safely. Running may stimulate a lion’s instinct to chase and attack. Face the lion and stand upright.
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Do all you can to appear larger. Raise your arms. Open your jacket if you’re wearing one. If you have small children with you, protect them by picking them up so they won’t panic and run.
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If the lion behaves aggressively, throw stones, branches or whatever you can get your hands on without crouching down or turning your back.
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Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly. What you want to do is convince the lion you are not prey and that you may in fact be a danger to the lion.
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Fight back if a lion attacks you. Lions have been driven away by prey that fights back. People have fought back with rocks, sticks, caps or jackets, garden tools and their bare hands successfully. Remain standing or try to get back up.
Tracking and monitoring mountain lions are the responsibility of State Fish and Wildlife. They have been notified of these recent sightings.
If you’d like to read more information about mountain lions, visit the State Fish and Wildlife website: https://bit.ly/2DNdmvX