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EnCompass®
The AAA Companion |
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September | October 2004
Volume 78 Issue 5
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Featured Article
By Rod Manuel
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You're not likely to see a mountain lion in the Rocky Mountains. In fact, these photos (and the cover image) are of a semi-captive animal, meaning that handlers release the lion under controlled conditions for brief periods of time. Images by photographer George H. H. Huey at Zion National Park in Utah. |
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For many of us, whether taking to the Rocky Mountains for camping, hiking or a drive to enjoy the turning of the Aspen leaves, seeing a mountain lion along the way would be a major highlight of the trip.
Majestic and imposing even in captivity, mountain lions must certainly be a sight to behold in the wild.
Considering how often mountain lions have made the news this year, one could get the impression that seeing a mountain lion is commonplace in the Rocky Mountains.
Wildlife officials acknowledge that sightings are on the rise as more people are moving into deer and mountain lion habitat, and as more people are hiking and camping in mountain lion habitat. In fact, Colorado's Division of Wildlife (DOW) has been holding meetings around the state this year to study ways to manage the mountain lion population.
Be that as it may, wildlife experts maintain that the likelihood of encountering, much less seeing, a mountain lion remains remote.
It is the solitary and elusive nature of the animal that keeps them out of our view, say experts. People rarely get more than a brief glimpse of a mountain lion in the wild as they usually hunt at night and spend the day out of sight; under forest cover, in a cave or under a rock overhang.
All things considered, unless you live in the mountains, it is very unlikely you will see a mountain lion in the Rocky Mountains, even during autumn as their prey migrates to lower elevations.
For that reason, we offer these images of a sight that few of us will ever see in person.
Rod Manuel is managing editor
of EnCompass.
Facts
The mountain lion, also known as cougar or puma, inhabits all states of the Southwest. One of the densest populations occurs in the Four Corners region where Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico meet.
Mountain lions can grow to more than eight feet long (from nose to tail) and weigh up to 150 pounds. Their life span in the wild is about 12 years.
Mountain lions are territorial and very solitary, meeting their own kind only to mate. Mountain lions typically have no fixed dens, except for mothers with cubs.
The Colorado Division of Wildlife estimates there are between 3,000 and 7,000 mountain lions in Colorado, with the number most likely in the 4,500 to 5,000 range — most living in remote areas.
In Colorado, officials link two deaths to mountain lions since 1876: an 18-year-old jogger killed in Idaho Springs in 1991 and a 10-year-old boy attacked in Rocky Mountain National Park six years later. Officials also believe a mountain lion was probably responsible for the 1999 disappearance of a 3-year-old boy north of Rocky Mountain National Park.
Tips
Movement, especially running, triggers the prey instinct in mountain lions. Many encounters between humans and mountain lions have been prompted by jogging or running past a waiting lion.
If you encounter a mountain lion that stands its ground, stay calm, try to make yourself appear larger by raising your arms and opening your jacket, and back away slowly. It may help to shout and make other loud noises, or to throw stones or sticks. Pick up small children and fight back if attacked.
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