Attacks on humans by mountain lions are rare; however, the Colorado Division of Wildlife reminds residents and visitors that we live and recreate in the home territory of the big cats.
Most of Colorado’s mountains and canyon terrain provide mountain lion habitat, so be aware when you are hiking, biking and camping. In general, lions are reclusive and avoid human contact.
Jerry Apker, a biologist with the DOW, explained that lions’ main prey are deer, rabbits and other small mammals.
“They have evolved over thousands of years to hunt for prey that moves on four legs,” Apker said. “They go after prey that represents the greatest opportunity for the least amount of risk.”
The DOW recommends these tips in mountain lion country:
- When hiking make noise and talk to hiking partners. Making noise reduces the possibility of surprising a lion and increases the chances that they’ll move away.
- Keep children in front of you and within sight.
- Carry a walking stick or a hiking pole to use in case of a confrontation. Pepper spray is also recommended.
- If you see a mountain lion do not try to get closer for a better look.
- If you come face-to-face with a lion stop and stay calm. Raise your arms above your head to appear large and threatening. Pull a jacket or a pack above your head. Back up slowly and talk in a loud voice to the lion. Do not run.
- If you are attacked, fight back aggressively to scare the animal away. Stay on your feet.
- Explain these tips to your children and practice with them.
- Keep dogs on a leash. Confrontations between dogs and mountain lions are common. Most dogs will run away from lions; but that might mean that as they return to their owner a lion could be in pursuit.
- Keep yards clean, don’t leave pet food outside, don’t put meat scraps in compost piles.
“The chances of you even seeing a mountain lion are highly unlikely,” Apker said. “So the chances of being attacked are even lower. But people still need to be aware that lions live among us.”
The DOW estimates that about 5,000 mountain lions live in Colorado.
