Mountain lion attacks: Stand or run? Evidence suggests run

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Mountain lion attacks: Stand or run? Evidence suggests run

A new UC Davis study of 110 years of mountain-lion attacks on people suggests the conventional wisdom of standing your ground may not always be the right course.

"Even though we found evidence that pumas will indeed chase, and capture, people who run, we also found that people who stand still are possibly more endangered," said the study's lead author, psychology professor Richard Coss, an expert on the evolution of predator-prey relationships.

"Immobility may be interpreted by the mountain lion as a sign that you are vulnerable prey, either because you are unaware of its presence, or because you are disabled and not capable of escaping."

Thus, running might be the smartest move, Coss concluded, if you are in a situation that allows you to run in a surefooted fashion with even strides -- for instance, on dry, flat ground rather than uneven, rocky terrain or deep snow.

Most state and federal wildlife agencies advise against running, including the California Department of Fish and Game.

http://www.dailydemocrat.com/ci_12154800?source=most_viewed

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Tell me where mountain lions chill and I will add to my list of "dont go there" places.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Tell me where mountain lions chill and I will add to my list of "dont go there" places.

In California, that would be any place where joggers go alone in the early morning hours.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I knew there was a reason the west coast gave me the creeps.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I knew there was a reason the west coast gave me the creeps.

But we don't get hurricanes!

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I knew there was a reason the west coast gave me the creeps.

But we don't get hurricanes!

neither do we

[Peikko 1,575]

How do they conduct such studies anyway? It's not like they can put 100 people in 'confrontation with lion' situations and monitor the results.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

How do they conduct such studies anyway? It's not like they can put 100 people in 'confrontation with lion' situations and monitor the results.

It's a study of 110 years of mountain-lion attacks. A historical analysis, basically.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Assuming the animal is not cornered or with cubs, I thought you were supposed to run at it yelling and making big arm gestures.

[Nagishkaw 510]

I think the mountain lion would see that as a threat. I know dogs do.

[Peikko 1,575]

How do they conduct such studies anyway? It's not like they can put 100 people in 'confrontation with lion' situations and monitor the results.

It's a study of 110 years of mountain-lion attacks. A historical analysis, basically.

So a bunch of anecdotal evidence? Very scientific.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Yeah it means someone read a bunch of reports and put them into "Run", "Stand" and "Fight" piles.

Probably did a bar chart.

Edited April 16, 2009 by Private Pike

[SMOKE 1,426]

Assuming the animal is not cornered or with cubs, I thought you were supposed to run at it yelling and making big arm gestures.

i'm a city boy. i'm pissing my pants, running, & yelling the opposite direction.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Assuming the animal is not cornered or with cubs, I thought you were supposed to run at it yelling and making big arm gestures.

i'm a city boy. i'm pissing my pants, running, & yelling the opposite direction.

I'm not sure if the same advice holds true for different animals - if you see a bear you're supposed to yell at it and make a lot of big gestures.

Whether someone has the balls to do that in the situation...

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

If you see a great white, you're supposed to try to head butt it