What To Do If Attacked By A Mountain Lion

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Mountain lion attacks seem like something people who live near the wildcat's natural kingdom would have to deal with on a regular basis, but cougar attacks are extremely rare- there have been fewer than 100 attacks on humans in the western U.S. since 1890

But like many survival tips knowing what to do if attacked by a mountain lion is valuable advice you hope you'll never need but you'll be glad to know if you find yourself facing a cougar attack.

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First and foremost you shouldn't run away, because running will only trigger the animal's predatory instincts and make you look like prey.

You're better off standing your ground, making lots of noise and trying to look intimidating, preferably with a big stick or whatever weapon you have on hand.

And if the cougar attacks fight back, because their self preservation instinct is likely to kick in and send them running back to the hills they came from!

-Via Travel and Leisure


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I don't mind being eaten by an animal, just as long as I'm not alive to experience it. Watch a video on youtube of wildebeests or zebras being eaten alive by wild dogs or hyenas. Now imagine you're the one being eaten. Nope, not a good way to go.
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Even though I live in a *very* urban area, my house is adjacent to the most dangerous park in California (for puma attacks). I have seen them three times while biking and fresh tracks as often while hiking. Research into actual attacks has told me that once a mountain lion pounces, nothing much a human can do will stop it but you might as well try to fight.

Prior to an attack, according to my experience and those of my neighbors, leaving the area as quickly as possible has always worked. No one has ever tried to stand their ground and scare off the cougar.
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