It’s all the time essential to be tremendous alert whereas dirtbiking on trails as surprising obstacles and hazards can and can come up. For this rider in Jap Oregon it wasn’t a fallen log or pothole he needed to keep away from, it was an enormous cat. Watch as Drew Turtle practically collides with a mountain lion and hammers down on the throttle to depart it in his tracks. If you find yourself encountering a mountain lion, its actually essential you don’t run away or flip your again to it. As a substitute, cease and again away slowly. If the mountain lion approaches attempt to scare it away by throwing rocks or sticks at it with out crouching down. In case you are attacked don’t play lifeless, struggle again with something you bought. Learn Oregon Division of Fish & Wildlife’s suggestions for mountain lion security under:
Right here’s a bit about cougars from The Oregon Division of Fish & Wildlife:
Oregon is house to greater than 6,000 cougars, or mountain lions. Whereas cougar sightings and encounters are uncommon, it’s clever to teach your self in regards to the massive cats.
Native to Oregon, cougars vary all through the state, the very best densities happen within the Blue Mountains within the northeastern a part of the state and within the southwestern Cascade Mountains . Their primarily meals supply is deer, however they can even eat elk, raccoons, bighorn sheep, and different mammals and birds. Cougars are territorial animals and keep house ranges of as much as 100 miles. Most energetic at daybreak and nightfall, cougars are lone hunters. They’re typically solitary animals, apart from moms who stay with kittens for about two years. Whereas precise cougar sightings have elevated, coyotes, bobcats and canine are sometimes mistaken for cougars. A cougar could be recognized by its giant dimension, cat-like look, constant tan or tawny physique colour, and lengthy tail. An grownup cougar’s tail is sort of three ft lengthy and a 3rd to a half of its complete size. Cougar tracks could be differentiated from canine tracks by listening to element.
Report any cougar sighting or encounter to a neighborhood ODFW workplace or Oregon State Police workplace.
In case you stay in cougar nation
- Be taught your neighborhood. Concentrate on any wildlife corridors or locations the place deer or elk focus.
- Stroll pets through the day and hold them on a leash.
- Hold pets indoors at daybreak and nightfall. Shelter them for the night time.
- Feed pets indoors.
- Don’t go away meals and rubbish exterior.
- Use animal-proof rubbish cans if mandatory.
- Take away heavy brush from close to the home and play areas.
- Set up motion-activated mild outdoor alongside walkways and driveways.
- Be extra cautious at daybreak and nightfall when cougars are most energetic.
- Don’t feed any wildlife. By attracting different wildlife, you might appeal to a cougar.
- Hold areas round chicken feeders clear.
- Deer-proof your backyard and yard with nets, lights, fencing.
- Fence and shelter livestock. Transfer them to sheds or barns at night time.
If You Recreate in Cougar Nation
- Concentrate on your environment always.
- Go away your canine at house or hold it on a leash. Pets working free could lead a cougar again to you.
- Hike in teams. Make noise to alert wildlife of your presence.
- Hold youngsters near you. Train them about wildlife.
- Hold campsites clear. Sleep 100 yards from cooking areas.
- Retailer meals in animal-proof containers.
- Carry deterrent spray.
- Be cautious at nightfall and daybreak.
- By no means feed any wildlife. Prey attracts predators.
- Don’t method any wildlife; keep at the least 100 yards away.
- Avoid child wildlife. Mom is probably going close by.
- Be alert when sitting quietly or stopping to relaxation.
- Be particularly alert at daybreak and nightfall when cougars are most energetic.
- Remember that animal calls and animal kills can appeal to a cougar.
If You Encounter a Cougar
- Cougars typically will retreat if given the chance. Go away the animal a option to escape.
- Keep calm and stand your floor.
- Preserve direct eye contact.
- Choose up youngsters, however accomplish that with out bending down or turning your again on the cougar.
- Again away slowly.
- Don’t run. Working triggers a chase response in cougars, which might result in an assault.
- Increase your voice and communicate firmly.
- If the cougar appears aggressive, increase your arms to make your self look bigger and clap your palms.
- If within the very uncommon occasion {that a} cougar assaults you, struggle again with rocks, sticks, bear or pepper spray, instruments or any objects accessible.
RELATED: Hear A Hen Chirping? It May Really Be a Mountain Lion
Extra From Unofficial Networks
