Anonymous
By Luci
We live on Sycamore Canyon near East Valley Road and thought vandals had broken our entry lantern.
Were we surprised when we reviewed the security video to see a mountain lion outside our gate. It was spooked by a car passing by and scaled our approximately 8 foot fence and pilaster onto our property. As the cougar scaled the fence he glanced off the lantern smashing the glass. Fortunately, there was no blood so I believe it was not injured in its flight over the gate. It happened early February 15 at about 12:30 am in the morning.
I read that these magnificent creatures are known by several names: mountain lion, puma and cougar. They can jump about 20 feet from a standstill and can run about 50 mph. Experts say if you encounter one do not turn your back on it and run. You should make yourself as big as possible and make a lot of noise, the cougars really don’t want confrontation. As evidenced by the video, the car with headlights going up Sycamore Canyon scared it over our fence.
Please Google these fascinating creatures to learn more about them. We were surprised that the cougar came down this far off the mountainside but I have to believe that their natural habitat has been severely compromised by the fire and debris flow. Be safe. Do not leave your pets outside at night.
Report by an edhat reader
Just a heads up that there have been some recent mountain lion sightings by Sheffield Reservoir/Rattlesnake canyon area. (My neighbor was walking her dog [Thursday] night at about 11pm and saw a mountain lion at El Cielito/Las Canoas).
Recent sightings are actually just more sightings because of cameras everywhere. Wild animals have been out-and-about in the wild being wild even before humans started to domesticate the land. The homes here encroach in the little that’s left. What? Should be build a fence around the forest? How do you keep threatening species off the fringe? In this case, the cougar obviously leapt in to the yard. One can only hope that doesn’t cause a paranoia fest where of poison pellets and roofie enlaced steaks.
WOW! HOW COOL IS THAT?! Such a beautiful and magnificent animal. I’m so glad we have them here. In all my 55 years of hiking and being an outdoors person, I have never seen one. They are shy and elusive and they don’t let themselves be seen much. It’s true, there are not more lions, it’s just more cameras that are capturing them. There is no need for fear. The Mountain Lion Foundation is an excellent resource for info on these animals. Our “lion”.
Good info on if you encounter a mountian lion. This is exactly correct, you should make yourself tall and make noise, clap hands. NEVER turn your back on a mountain lion. I carry a small air horn when I hike. It was less than $10 and I will never fear an attack because of it. Such wonderful marvelous animals. Thank you for sharing.
good to see such animals still exist.
Wouldn’t we all like to be even a small percentage that lithe and strong.