PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, Calif. - Since July, there have been at least six mountain lion incidents in Monterey County.
Two of those sightings were within the last month. They were about a mile from the Presidio of Monterey, near Veterans Memorial Park, which butts against the installation.
Why are there so many mountain lions in the area?
It's not because mountain lions, also known as cougars or pumas, like humans. In fact, according to the California Department of Fish and Game website they are solitary and elusive, and their nature is to avoid humans.
The website explains that it comes down to the deer seen roaming around the area.
With more than half of California mountain lion habitat, and mountain lions generally existing wherever deer are found, their presence in the area makes sense.
Although the Department of Fish and Game advised the public that the animals were displaying normal behavior, caution is warranted.
A Presidio of Monterey official said residents in the Ord Military Community, La Mesa Village and on the Presidio should be especially vigilant of mountain lions and take preventative measures to avoid potential encounters with the animals, especially when spring comes.
Movement of mountain lions tends to increase in the spring because some mountain lion cubs are trying to establish a territory, said Lenore Grover-Bullington, Directorate of Public Works, Environmental Division chief.
Although mountain lions, which range from 5 to 8 feet in length and weigh between 75 and 250 pounds, prefer to feed on deer they are also known to prey on pets and livestock and in rare instances humans.
"Mountain lion attacks on humans are rare," said Grover-Bullington, reiterating that their nature is to avoid humans. "It's probably similar to the chance of being attacked by a shark."
According to the CDFG website, mountain lions that threaten people are immediately killed.
Landowners whose pets fall prey to mountain lions may kill them once they obtain the required depredation permit. However, this rule does not apply to residents living in housing in OMC, La Mesa and the Presidio.
Instead, residents in military housing should contact the Presidio police who have the authority to request that the California Department of Fish and Game send out a federal trapper to remove the animal.
Problem mountain lions cannot be relocated since they are territorial creatures. Relocating a mountain lion to another's territory could result in "deadly conflicts with other mountain lions," according to the CDFG website.
"They really don't like being with humans," said Grover-Bullington. "They're solitary animals and don't look for conflict."
Residents should take the following preventative measures to avoid possible encounters with mountain lions:
•Don't feed wild animals
•Deer-proof landscape by avoiding plants deer like to eat.
•Supervise small children or pets outside
•Keep outdoor spaces well lit and remove or trim low vegetation to maintain visibility
•Don't travel alone in undeveloped areas, especially in the late afternoon through dusk when mountain lions tend to hunt.
If a mountain lion is encountered, people should not approach it. Also people should not run away as this may trigger the mountain lion's instinct to chase. Instead one should face the animal, try to appear as big as possible by raising the arms and speak loudly until the mountain lion leaves. If the mountain lion does not leave then throw rocks or sticks at it.
If children are near, Grover-Bullington advises picking them up without crouching down or bending over. A person may look like prey to a mountain lion if they crouch or bend over.
After an encounter residents should report the sighting to the Presidio police, said Grover-Bullington. Witnesses should include the date, time, location where the sighting or encounter occurred and a description of the mountain lion.
"The distinguishing factor on a mountain lion is its long tail," said Grover-Bullington.
"Sometimes mountain lions are confused with bobcats, except bobcats have short tails and adults retain a spotted coloration pattern."
Above all, she said people shouldn't unjustly harbor a fear of mountain lions, but should be in awe of the incredible creatures.
"It's a privilege for people to see a mountain lion because they're often difficult to find," Grover-Bullington said. "Scientists doing research and trappers alike have trouble locating mountain lions."
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