Mountain Lion

Background

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.

Deer are a major food source for mountain lions. In years past, sightings of mountain lions have occurred in the hills above the Berkeley campus and carcasses of animals suspected to have been attacked by mountain lions were also discovered.

To reduce the chances of encountering a mountain lion:

    • Avoid hiking or jogging alone, especially between dusk and dawn, when lions normally do their hunting.

    • Make plenty of noise while you hike so as to reduce the chances of surprising a lion.

    • Always keep children and pets in sight while hiking and within arms reach in areas that can conceal a lion.

    • Hike with a good walking stick; this can be useful in warding off a lion.

To reduce the chances of an attack when encountering a mountain lion:

    • Do not approach a lion, especially if it is feeding or with its young. Most lions will avoid confrontation. Give them a way to escape.

    • 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 or pets

    • Fight back if attacked. Since a mountain lion usually tries to bite the head or neck, try to remain standing and face the attacking animal. People have successfully fought back with rocks, sticks, or bare hands.

    • If a mountain lion attacks a person, immediately call 911.

Information:

  • FAQ: Berkeley Mountain Lion Incident

  • Deer Resistant Garden Strategies

  • Steps to Help Mountain Lions

  • Bay Area Puma Project

Mountain lion sightings:

2018 September 19 [Wednesday], at approximately 7:05 PM, UCPD received a report of a mountain lion sighting near building 88 of Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory. A Lawrence Berkeley Lab employee spotted the mountain lion down the hill near the west fence line of the lab, west of building 88.

2018 April 2, at 3:15 PM, UCPD received a report of a mountain lion sighting that occurred earlier that morning. A UC employee was walking on Sports Lane near the south side of Building 22 on Monday, April 2nd, 2018 at 3:24 AM when he encountered a mountain lion. The mountain lion was not aggressive and did not move. The employee backed away until the mountain lion was out of view and left the area. The employee did not see the mountain lion again. The area was later searched, but the mountain lion was not found.

2011 Jan 28. Lions In The Neighborhood — Article by Phila Rogers. Excerpt: The poet D.H. Lawrence in his haunting poem about a mountain lion killing in the New Mexico wilderness writes:

“And I think in this empty world there was room

for me and a mountain lion.

And I think in the world beyond, how easily we

might spare a million or two of humans

And never miss them.

Yet what a gap in the world, the missing white

frost-face of that slim yellow mountain lion!”

Jan 5 2011 Alert from UC Police

2010 October 7. Berkeley takes unusual approach to mountain lions. Alan Wang, KGO TV. Excerpt: ...Mountain lions have been spotted repeatedly over the past few weeks on land near Lawrence Berkeley Lab. Freshly posted signs signify there is a mountain lion somewhere near the area, but no one is trying to hunt or trap this animal. ...In one month six animal carcasses were discovered in and around the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab property, likely because the deer have become such easy prey. ...Employees have seen a female and two cubs on the property at least three times. Another sighting on Monday was near the Grizzly Peak neighborhood. ...But instead of rushing to kill the mountain lions, lab officials are encouraging employees to cohabitate. ... mountain lions are doing what they normally do. They're hunting deer, they're foraging for deer, and they're not hunting humans," says Hale. Hale's "live and let live" management approach is to allow the mountain lions to sink back into the brush whenever possible. Berkeley Hills resident Phila Rogers says the deer, which eat her flowers, are over populating the area. "So I'd like to see the lions reduce the deer population," says Rogers.

Excellent videos: