Tuesday, April 05, 2005

Confirmed Mountain Lion Sighting at San Onofre

By Hugh Jorgan

SAN ONOFRE - On April 4, 2005 at 12:45 p.m., there was a confirmed sighting of mountain lions on the east side of the of the dirt road near Old Mans. In recent years there have been confirmed sightings of mountain lions in the Point area. Although the likelihood of a mountain lion attack is less than being struck by lightening, State Park Rangers advise to be prepared for such an encounter. The California Department of Fish and Game has several suggestions:

DO NOT GO TO SAN ONOFRE ALONE: Go in groups, with adults supervising children.

KEEP CHILDREN CLOSE TO YOU: Observations of captured wild mountain lions reveal that the animals seem especially drawn to children. Keep children within your sight at all times.

DO NOT APPROACH A LION: Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation. Give them a way to escape.

DO NOT RUN FROM A LION: Running may stimulate a mountain lion's instinct to chase. Instead, stand and face the animal. Make eye contact.


DO ALL YOU CAN TO APPEAR LARGER: Raise your arms. Open your jacket if you are wearing one. Throw stones and branches or other objects. Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly in a loud voice.

FIGHT BACK IF ATTACKED: People have fought back successfully with rocks, sticks and golf clubs.

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