“If you come across a mountain lion, you want to hold your ground and convince the lion that you are a threat,” said University Police Chief Tom Dewey. He offered the following tips:
Do not approach a mountain lion. Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation. Give it a way out.
Do not run from a mountain lion. Running may stimulate the animal’s instinct to chase. Stand and face the animal, and make eye contact. If you have small children with you, pick them up so they don’t panic and run. Try to pick up children without turning your back to the lion. Try not to crouch or bend over.
Do all you can to appear larger. Raise your arms. Open your shirt or jacket if possible. Throw stones, branches, or whatever is in reach without bending down. Wave your arms slowly and speak in a loud voice.
Fight back if attacked. Convince the animal that you are a danger to it!
Immediately report all encounters with a mountain lion near our campus. Call 826-5555.
More information on California mountain lions can be found at: www.dfg.ca.gov/keepmewild/lion.html
This week’s sightings, Wednesday and Friday at around 3 a.m., were by HSU custodial staff working along the B Street corridor south of Laurel Drive. In one case a lion was spotted crouched under a parked truck and in another instance the lion was seen gazing into a closed glass door. There have been at least two other nighttime sightings in the same area in recent weeks.
In all cases, the animals’ health and behavior appeared to be normal.
Police speculate that the recent sightings are probably the same young lion that has been displaced from higher terrain by inclement weather or other lions. Interviews with witnesses indicate that it appears to be healthy and acting normally, and that it typically either hides or runs away from humans.
“It sounds like this is a young healthy lion who is behaving normally, active at night, trying to avoid people while it is hunting for raccoons and other typical prey,” Chief Dewey said.
University Police have reported the lion sightings to Arcata City Police and Environmental Services departments, as well as the State Department of Fish and Game.
There has never been a known attack by a mountain lion on a human in the Arcata-Humboldt State community. Even so, police encourage anyone on campus to immediately report any lion sightings to the department 24 hours a day. This will allow them to respond, investigate, and confirm that the lion’s behavior does not indicate a threat to safety on campus.
To report a mountain lion sighting, call University Police at 826-5555.