Dinosaur National Monument Reminds Visitors to be Lion Aware

Staff at Dinosaur National Monument are reminding visitors that they are visiting mountain lion country when traveling in the monument, especially in the backcountry and along the river canyons.

On Tuesday, July 22nd, fresh evidence of an animal killed by a mountain lion was found in the Echo Park area. Signs of the kill included paw prints, blood, fur, and drag marks from the mountain lion moving an animal from a meadow south of a restroom, across a road, and into the brush along the Green River. A 72-hour closure was placed on the area immediately around the kill site to minimize disturbance of the mountain lion as it feeds. Prior to this event, a visitor on a rafting trip on the Green River noticed a mountain lion watching him from a ledge above the Rippling Brook campsite.

Visitors are reminded that although mountain lions, also known as cougars, are rare to see, all of Dinosaur National Monument is suitable habitat. Visitors should take appropriate precautions when recreating within the monument. According to Wayne Prokopetz, Chief of Resource Management, "As the higher elevation areas in the monument dry out, deer and elk will move to the river corridors to find better forage. Mountain lions will follow these animals since they are the lions preferred food source.""Due to the increase in sightings, we are stepping up our mountain lion safety education program," stated Chief Ranger Lee Buschkowsky. Hikers, boaters, and campers are encouraged to be alert for their presence and report mountain lion sightings as soon as possible at a visitor center or ranger station. Visitors should remember the following safety tips:

To prevent an encounter:

• Don't hike or jog alone
• Keep children within sight and close to you
• Avoid dead animals
• Keep a clean camp
• Leave pets at home
• Be alert to your surroundings
• Use a walking stick

If you meet a mountain lion:

• Don't run, as this may trigger a cougar's attack instinct
• Stand and face it
• Pick up children
• Appear large, wave arms or jacket over your head
• Do not approach, back away slowly
• Keep eye contact

If you encounter a mountain lion and it acts aggressive:

• Do not turn your back or take your eyes off it
• Remain standing
• Throw things
• Shout loudly
• Fight back aggressively

In addition to mountain lions,other wildlife, such as deer, elk, black bear, and bighorn sheep, are prevalent in the monument. Please be alert for animals crossing the roads – particularly at dawn and dusk. Never approach or feed any animals in the monument.

For more information on Dinosaur National Monument, please call  (435) 781-7700.



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Living With Mountain Lions

People rarely get more than a brief glimpse of a mountain lion in the wild. Lion attacks on people are rare, with fewer than a dozen fatalities in North America over the past 100 years. Most of the attacks were by young mountain lions, perhaps forced out to hunt on their own and not yet living in established areas. Young mountain lions may key in on easy prey, like pets and small children.

No studies have been done to determine what to do if you meet a mountain lion, but based on observations by people who have come upon lions, some patterns of behavior and response are beginning to emerge.

In this short video, Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers several tips and information on living and recreating in mountain lions country:


Mountain Lion Safety from Colorado Parks & Wildlife on Vimeo.



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com