NEWS RELEASE

According to security personnel at Bodega Harbour in Bodega Bay, over the past four weeks there have been several night sightings of a mountain lion in the subdivision, which is adjacent to two regional parks – Pinnacle Gulch and Short Tail Trails. There have been no reports of any interactions between the mountain lion and humans.

According the Fish and Game publication Keep Me Wild: Staying Safe in Mountain Lion Country , “about half of California is prime mountain lion country. These large, powerful predators have always lived here, preying on deer and other wildlife, and play an important role in the ecosystem.” “People who live in or visit mountain lion habitat have a responsibility to the wildlife whose habitat they share…so that we can coexist with these magnificent animals.”

Generally, mountain lions are calm, quiet and elusive. They usually hunt alone, at night. Their generally secretive and solitary nature is what makes it possible for humans to live in mountain lion country without ever seeing one. However, due to more people moving into and/or using trails in their habitat, the number of mountain lion/human interactions has increased.

The public is encouraged to take extra precautions while visiting the parks:

1. Do not hike in the park alone. Go in groups, with adults supervising children.
2. Keep children close to you and within your sight at all times.
3. Keep pets on leash at all times.
4. DO NOT approach a mountain lion. Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation. Give them a way to escape.
5. Do not run from a mountain lion. Running may stimulate its instinct to chase. Instead, stand and face the animal. Make eye contact. If you have small children, pick them up so they don’t panic and run.
6. Do not crouch down or bend over. It is thought that a human standing up is just not the right size for a mountain lion’s prey.
7. Do all you can do to appear larger. Raise your arms. Open your jacket. Throw stones, branches or whatever you can reach without crouching or turning your back. Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly in a loud voice.
8. Fight back if attacked. Use rocks, sticks, caps, and jackets, whatever you have including your bare hands.

Report any face-to-face encounters to the California Department of Fish and Game 24-hour dispatch center at (916) 445-0045. The brochure, Keep Me Wild: Staying Safe in Mountain Lion Country, can be viewed and printed from the DFG website at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/keepmewild/docs/lionbrochure.pdf.

For more information on the 41 regional parks in Sonoma County, contact the Regional Parks main office weekdays at (707) 565-2041 or visit www.sonoma-county.org/parks.