Stand your ground if you run across cougar

THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published August 21, 2001

In the past 100 years, 13 people have been killed in cougar attacks in North America, and 75 nonfatal attacks were reported.

During that same time, more than 15,000 people were killed by lightning; 10,000 by deer; 4,000 by bees and 1,300 by rattlesnakes.

In Washington, cougars are found in the eastern Okanogan highlands, the Selkirk Mountains and the Blue Mountains of Eastern Washington, and in the Cascade and Olympic mountains and Willapa Hills of Western Washington.

Cougars are territorial, and big males keep other males out of their territory, which can vary from 25 to 500 square miles. Females' territory is smaller, 8 to 400 square miles.

When young lions leave their mothers, they have to find suitable habitat that isn't already occupied. As numbers increase and habitat dwindles, that becomes harder, and young cats are increasingly forced into marginal habitat. Often that means they are closer to human habitation where people are more likely to encounter them.

- Living with cougars: Remove plants that provide cover for cougars, and remove plants that attract wildlife that may be potential cougar prey.

- Don't feed wildlife: Don't leave pet food outside. It may attract cougars by attracting their natural prey.

- Keep pets secure. Also, confine livestock -- especially at night -- in pens, sheds and barns.

If you see a cougar

- Don't approach. Give them time and room to avoid you.

- Keep children under control. Especially between dusk and dawn, keep them within arm's reach.

- Never hike, backpack and camp in wild areas alone.

- Hike with a walking stick. It can be used to fight off a lion.

- Never run from a cougar.

If you meet a cougar

- Stand your ground.

- Make eye contact.

- Pick up small children, but do it without bending over or turning away. Bending over makes you look like four-legged prey, and it makes the neck and back of the head vulnerable.

- Make yourself appear larger. Open your jacket, raise your arms, speak slowly, firmly and loudly.

- Remain standing.

If you are attacked

- Fight back with whatever is at hand -- stones, branches, jacket, garden tools, your bare hands.

- Don't turn your back.

- Try to stay on your feet.

- Give the lion a way to escape.

The Olympian Copyright 2001

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