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Next to Black bears, Cougars are the most numerous predators along the western coast of Canada. Also known as Mountain Lions or Pumas, they can reach a length of eight feet from head to tail tip, and a weight of 130-150 pounds. Cougars’ attacks are swift and deadly, and can be over as fast as an automobile accident. Now, with urban development encroaching further and further into their territory, encounters with these large cats are becoming increasingly common. Many attacks do not occur in the backcountry anymore; but instead, occur in regular residential zones or crowded Provincial Park. These attacks are usually by starving young males who are desperate. Under normal circumstances, cougars are very solitary animals and try to avoid human contact. Because of this, they are rarely encountered in the wild.
The best way to avoid contact with a cougar while hiking is to hike in large groups and stay on heavily trafficked trails. Watch out for signs of carcasses – buried or fresh –and large deer herds. If there is a large population of deer then there is most likely a cougar around. Also, if there are young children with you then keep them close at all times. Most attacks from cougars are on young children, because their small size and jerky movements make them appear as prey. Dogs too should be kept on a leash and under control.
If you do encounter a cougar, stay calm and don’t approach. You want to give it a chance to flee. If you have children with you then without bending over or crouching, pick them up. If you bend over or crouch, then you create the image of a four-legged animal. Make eye contact with the cougar and try to look as large as possible. Hold your arms in the air, and, if you’re wearing a jacket, open it. Talk to the cougar in a loud, firm voice. Throw rocks, sticks, branches, or anything you can reach without bending or crouching. Hopefully the cougar will see you as a threat and run.
In rare cases, and normally only if it’s starving or is no longer afraid of humans, a mountain lion will attack. If this happens, fight back. Whereas playing dead will work with a bear, it will not work with a cougar. Also, try to stay upright during the attack, as most cougars will go for the head or neck. Many people have been successful in fighting off a cougar attack.
Although the cougar is a fierce predator, you can avoid encounters by staying on well-worn trails and hiking in large groups.
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