In February, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife added six distinct mountain lion populations to the protected list under the California Endangered Species Act, but in a close encounter, instinct can take over.
“In all honesty…I feel like for me, my dog comes before everything else…I feel like I’ll do everything to protect her…even putting my own self in harm, my own self in harm’s way because she’s like, she’s part of the family,” said Samaneh Nawaz, a local hiker.
“She’s my daughter.”
It’s a decision that goes beyond the trail…even at a local shooting range.
Hiking outdoors, up in the mountains, I am spending time on their turf. I wouldn’t have a problem carrying a weapon, and I wouldn’t have a problem using it in the defense of myself or someone else who might be threatened by wildlife,” said Adam Edelstein, a resident of the area and recreational shooter.
Wildlife experts say encounters with mountain lions are rare…and knowing how to respond can make all the difference.
“A lot of people ask me about encounters. We’re developing more in the Santa Clarita Valley. We are dispersing these animals into the environment, looking for new wild habitat,” said Ranger Frank Hoffman, Placerita Canyon Nature Center Park Supervisor and Educational Director.
If you come across a mountain lion, what you do next matters.
“Just know what to do and what not to do. Do not run from a mountain lion…make yourself appear as big as possible…make a lot of loud noise. Scare that cat…make sure that he knows you’re the boss there. Keep your dogs in at night…anything that might be a potential prey source.”
Ranger Frank says in 30 years, he’s never seen a mountain lion in the wild…but his cameras have captured them, both with tracking collars and without.
