Mountain Lion Sightings Prompt Safety Alert

UC Berkeley police are reporting three mountain lion sightings since December in the Berkeley Hills, prompting a safety alert.

On Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012, just after 10 p.m., police say there was a sighting of a mountain lion on top of a dumpster at the Smythe-Fernwald apartment complex by the Clark Kerr campus.  

In 2011, there were several mountain lion sightings in the Berkeley Hills above the UC Berkeley campus, according to police, and carcasses of animals suspected to have been attached by mountain lions were also discovered.

Back in December, the UC Berkeley Police Department received a report of two mountain lions running north on Lawrence Road toward Glaser Road at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory.

UC police have issued the following safety advice to reduce the chances of encountering a mountain lion:

•  Avoid hiking alone, especially between dusk and dawn, when lions
normally do their hunting. Make plenty of noise while you hike so as to
reduce the chances of surprising a lion.

•  Always keep children in sight while hiking and within arm's reach in
areas that can conceal a lion. Mountain Lions seem to be drawn to
children.

•  Hike with a good walking stick; this can be useful in warding off a lion.

To reduce the chances of an attack when encountering a mountain lion:

•  Do not approach a lion, especially if it is feeding or with its young.
Most lions will avoid confrontation. Give them a way to escape.

•  Stay calm and face the lion. Do not run because this may trigger the
lion's instinct to attack. Try to appear larger by raising your hands.

•  Pick up small children so they don't panic and run. This will also make
you appear larger. Avoid bending over or crouching.

•  If the lion acts aggressively, throw rocks, branches, or whatever can
be obtained without turning your back or bending over.

•  Fight back if attacked. Since a mountain lion usually tries to bite the
head or neck, try to remain standing and face the attacking animal. People
have successfully fought back with rocks, sticks, or bare hands.

Have you ever seen a mountain lion in the Berkeley area? Let us know in the comments.