January 13, 2007
During a recent trip to Tucson, our family set out to hike the historically accesible and family-freindly [Sabino Canyon][1]. Upon entering the park, the ranger in the toll booth handed us a bright green piece of paper with the heading: Problem Mountain Lions!The paper stated that although mountain lions have lived in the canyon throughout history, behaviors spotted recently in the cats in the area - including being active during daylight hours, being unafraid of humans, and stalking humans - was cause for concern.Now, I know that in the grand scheme of things [my chances of getting attacked by a mountain lion][2] are slim, but an [informative article][3] on mountain lion behavior that I read recently said it best: "Something about even a small chance of being eaten by a large carnivore wrests the human imagination away from the logic of numbers."While the news of mountain lions lurking while we hiked the canyon was a bit unsettling, it was the phrases like: "Nine out of ten humans attacked by mountain lions are children," and "KEEP YOUR CHILDREN CLOSE AT ALL TIMES!", or "If you pick up small children with you, do so without bending or turning away," which were peppered throughout this flier, that really appealed to our primal fears.To make a long story short, we hiked the canyon anyway, and we survived, but I'd be lying if I said it was a relaxing hike. I'd also be lying if I said that this episode didn't make me consider the [mountain lion sightings][4] around here a little more carefully. (This one [at the levee][5] was particularly frightening).Again, I know our family is in more danger when we hop into the car each day, than we are when we hike around Clinton Lake, but if the small chance of being eaten by a carnivore makes a person illogical, then the small chance of your child being eaten by a carnivore makes one downright paranoid. I mean, what are the chances that a mountain lion is skulking around Hidden Valley, that large wooded acreage on the west side of town where all the Girl Scouts hang out? Maybe it's time to reconsider those evening snipe hunts! Or maybe it's time to work this information into one of those safety badges:What to do if you see a mountain lion:Do not approach the cat Do not run Do not bend over or crouch down Maintian eye contact with the lion at all times Make yourself appear larger and more agreesive. Open your jacket, raise your arms, and throw rock or sticks. Speak loudly and slowly. Back away slowly. Do not run.
To close, I will quote the chipper [article][6] I referenced earlier: "Lastly, we want to emphasize that puma, like other cats, are highly individualistic. Some are more aggressive than others. There are no guarantees that anything will work, or that something that worked once will work again. Good Luck!" [1]: http://www.sabinocanyon.com/" target="blank [2]: http://www.gf.state.az.us/w_c/mtn_lion_attacks.shtml" target="blank [3]: http://users.frii.com/mytymyk/lions/pumadfn.htm" target="blank [4]: http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2006/nov/07/teacher_latest_report_seeing_mountain_lion/" target="blank [5]: http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2006/jun/30/runner_reports_seeing_mountain_lion_along_river_le/" target="blank [6]: http://users.frii.com/mytymyk/lions/pumadfn.htm
Comments
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lori (anonymous) says...
When we were in Colorado this summer, we noticed several similar signs. They was a little difference, though. The quote at the bottom said something along the lines of
"In the event that a mountain lion attacks you, FIGHT BACK. DON'T GIVE UP!"
Great. Thanks for the advice.
January 13, 2007 at 9:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Todd (anonymous) says...
I know the rangers these days can't suggest it but it seems a firearm would be really useful in this situation.
January 13, 2007 at 10:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
clayhill70 (anonymous) says...
When planning a hike in these areas its always important to include someone you know you can out run. Pack lightly.
January 13, 2007 at 2:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Dazie (Aileen Dingus) says...
Clayhill- That made me snort. :)
I must say, this sort of thing is why I love my sedentary lifestyle. I don't think anyone sitting in front of the TVC has ever been attacked by a mountain lion. ;)
January 13, 2007 at 6:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Dazie (Aileen Dingus) says...
TVC? What the heck was I thinking? It appears that people sitting in front of their computers _are_ attacked by random gusts of illiteracy...
January 13, 2007 at 6:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mitzibel (Misty Nuckolls) says...
Todd--my thoughts *exactly*. Woo hoo, concealed carry! I'm gonna pop me a cap in some ignorant mountain lion ASS!
Sorry. I think I was reincarnated from a time and place where shouting "Woo hoo!" and shooting up the ceiling was an acceptable means of expressing enthusiasm.
January 14, 2007 at 9:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
feeble (anonymous) says...
I grew up in Tucson (used to live off of North Allwood Place, which is near North Sabino Canyon Road, wasn't much development out that way 20 years ago.) Went back about four years ago and was sad to see how much the city had grown into the surrounding foothills and scrubland.
In any event, never had much trouble with mountain lions that I can recall. We did take weekend bike trips up the canyon as well as lots of summer hiking around Mount Lemon. Coyote, Javelina and Gila Monsters, yea, big cats not so much.
January 15, 2007 at 1:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
liz (Liz Weslander) says...
Apparently, people living around Sabino Canyon sometimes see moutnain lions in their back yard.I'm not sure who is on whose territory in that case.
January 15, 2007 at 3:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )