[pct-l] Mountain Lion Attack

[Freiman, Paul]

When Iris died at the mouth of a mountain lion years ago in Cuyamaca Park a PCTer friend did a research project.  A male lion needs an area of 50 square miles. Rancho Cuyamaca is 42 square miles. There are estimated to be over 50 lions in it.  My point: there isn't a "perfect balance of nature".  More lions exist when there is mule deer food, then the overpopulation of lions eat the deer, and the deer thin out.  But before the balance of nature can equilibrate we have some hunger lions with the weak males shunted to the edges (Iris died right next to a campground.  In fact, a lion came into the campground in broad daylight looking for a tasty youth before being discouraged by the family dog).
And AsABat is correct. The Borrego desert bighorn population is being shreaded by over half because of the lion.  I've seen them in both places.
Capt Bivy




Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2007 11:22:36 -0800 (GMT-08:00)
From: dsaufley at sprynet.com
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Mountain Lion Attack
To: Steve Courtway <scourtway at bpa-arch.com>, pct-l at backcountry.net
Message-ID:
        <1266984.1169839356272.JavaMail.root at mswamui-thinleaf.atl.sa.earthlink.net>
       
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Lions roam a circuit in their territory looking for prey, and learn over time by observance what appears defenseless and is not scary to them.  I always thought my mountain bike would scare mountain lions, until the attacks in Orange County a few years ago when a lion killed one mountain biker, and tried immediately after to kill another who was fortunately saved by her companion.  Her friend literally had a tug-of-war with the lion with the victim's body.  I saw this lucky survivor interviewed on Larry King Live, and was inspired by her courage; she continues to mountain bike.

Because they're not hunted, and they're quite prolific creatures, the lion population has increased dramatically.  Many hikers have seen and heard them on the PCT, all along its length. 

L-Rod



-----Original Message-----
>From: Steve Courtway <scourtway at bpa-arch.com>
>Sent: Jan 26, 2007 11:05 AM
>To: pct-l at backcountry.net
>Subject: Re: [pct-l] Mountain Lion Attack
>
>Unfortunately, taking out everybody who doesn't enjoy the outdoors isn't an
>option.
>
>When we hike here in San Diego, formerly in the destroyed Cuyamaca State
>Park, and now mostly on Mount Laguna, One of my hiking buddies always carrys
>a walking stick / lion deterrent stick.   Never seen one, but boy, I've
>heard that low rumbling stalking growl couple times off trail quite close.
>Raises the hair on your arms.
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "stillroaming" <pct at delnorteresort.com>
>To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
>Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 10:46 AM
>Subject: [pct-l] Mountain Lion Attack
>
>
>> Exactly!
>>
>>>>>>
>> Ahh, but the way we muck about with the perfect balance of nature, and
>> then
>> blame nature for the backlash.  We insert ourselves into the environment,
>> radically alter what is allowed to live or die, and then try to manage the
>> aberrations caused by our own collective actions.
>>
>> Game management policies and urban expansion are the real culprits.
>> Killing
>> the mountain lions (or bears, or whatever) only addresses the symptoms.
>>
>> L-Rod