Author Topic: Mountain Lion sightings (Read 50198 times)

dave57 · « **on:** Feb 09, 21, 07:25:45 AM »

Just want to give everyone a heads up that the mountain lion that has be terrorizing Wrightwood over the past few weeks
had attacked 2 large dogs this morning at 3:30AM. Both dogs are going to survive although one is in surgery down in Upland as I type this.
One of my best friends here in Wrightwood had what we believe to be the same cat attack his two dogs over on the East Canyon area.
Again, both dogs survived but will take some time to recover. THIS IS SERIOUS.

In my mind, and I'm sure there are some who feel differently, IT'S TIME TO TAKE CARE OF THIS MOUNTAIN LION. There are people who have
dogs who could locate and "tree" this mountain lion, tranquilize it and then relocate it. If, in fact, the mountain lion has cubs they would have to be
located and transferred also.
The Fish and Wildlife people are not responding so far but have been contacted. We are also contacting KABC CHANNEL 7 to have them mention
the fact that we have an issue up here.

What's it going to take? A small child being taken off into the forest never to return?

I've lived in Wrightwood for many years and this cat needs to be taken care of or taken out completely.

PLEASE BE SAFE. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR ANIMALS OUT, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. THIS GOES FOR YOUR CHILDREN ALSO.

Dave

Bob C · « **Reply #1 on:** Feb 09, 21, 08:19:08 AM »

Quote from: dave57 on Feb 09, 21, 07:25:45 AM

PLEASE BE SAFE. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR ANIMALS OUT, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. THIS GOES FOR YOUR CHILDREN ALSO.

The. Best. Advise.

Nolena · « **Reply #2 on:** Feb 09, 21, 08:56:38 AM »

Do not put dogs out alone at night! Go out WITH them, if they have to go. Take a stun gun, and a good flashlight.

Topdog · « **Reply #3 on:** Feb 09, 21, 01:34:13 PM »

I agree, Dave57. I read earlier a mountain lion (probably the same?) stuck it's head in someone's dog door. This is sadly a puma that is becoming too habituated to human homes. This is not typical mountain lion roaming. Yes, people should keep their pets in at night, however at this point this particular puma is likely already too comfortable in this community. We need to do something before a person is attacked. Even if perhaps it is caught and taken to Forever Wild? While that's not an ideal life for such a creature, it would perhaps be better than some of the alternatives.

dave57 · « **Reply #4 on:** Feb 09, 21, 02:35:46 PM »

Just want to follow up and let everyone know that Natasha, the husky who was attacked, came out of surgery in good shape and is now recovering at home. Many stitches but she's going to be fine.

Another thing I need to mention is the fact the Fish and Wildlife folks called back and let us know that the "cat" will probably be back tonight in the Cardinal / Flume Canyon area. All of us are prepared.
The guy from Fish and Wildlife also mentioned a "3 strike rule" which I'm assuming would mean 3 reports which they now have. I'd hate to kill the animal but if it's between our pets or, even worse, our kids
the cat will go down for sure.

Again, be safe and don't leave your pets out at night unless you are with them. I wouldn't go out at night without a gun.

PLEASE BE SAFE.

Dave

Joe Schmoe · « **Reply #5 on:** Feb 09, 21, 03:16:58 PM »

Quote from: dave57 on Feb 09, 21, 07:25:45 AM

tranquilize it and then relocate it.

Relocate it where? The FS took a back seat and -effectively- let a fire burn a swath across the heart of the entire mountain range just west of you. Wrightwood and any other mountain communities in the vicinity should expect wildlife to be doing things differently for at least the next 5 years, depending on winter precipitation. Just wait 'til summer comes...

Quote from: dave57 on Feb 09, 21, 02:35:46 PM

the "cat" will probably be back tonight in the Cardinal / Flume Canyon area. All of us are prepared.

I'd hate to kill the animal but if it's between our pets or, even worse, our kids
the cat will go down for sure.

I wouldn't go out at night without a gun.

PLEASE BE SAFE.

Dave

I'd advise slowing down there, Tex, and rethinking your current mindset. And the sign-off asking people to "please be safe" is full of irony. You live IN THE MOUNTAINS...and if you have for so long, how can you be so taken aback by wildlife?

Cheapskate · « **Reply #6 on:** Feb 09, 21, 04:44:05 PM »

"Wrightwood and any other mountain communities in the vicinity should expect wildlife to be doing things differently for at least the next 5 years" I live on "the edge", upper part of Oriole. I have never noticed rabbits on my property, but this year cottontails are a daily sight. I have been wondering about a predator disruption, perhaps the coyotes have gone elsewhere, etc.

As for wildlife, a puma or other large feline is very different from the usual bobcats, coyotes, foxes, and raccoons, a much higher threat level. Something has to be done.

Fun fact: Norway's northernmost province, Svalbard Island, has a polar bear population. It's illegal to NOT carry a rifle when outside of the city limits of its one large town Longyearbyen. If dangerous predators are to be protected and therefore tolerated, that's how it has to be.

SkierBob · « **Reply #7 on:** Feb 09, 21, 08:54:49 PM »

humans are and will remain the invasive species

I'm for reintroducing the grizzly

TimG · « **Reply #8 on:** Feb 09, 21, 09:00:57 PM »

People keep saying this has to do with the fire, but it killed its first dog in early July, attacked others that month, and was in my backyard with its cub on the east side in September, weeks before the fire. It's not a normal cougar that's passing through occasionally on its wide range. It's been here every night and has learned this to be its hunting ground. Eventually it's going to attack a human. I hate to say it and have never felt that way about one before, but it needs to be put down before it does.

Joe Schmoe · « **Reply #9 on:** Feb 09, 21, 11:06:53 PM »

There's no way to say that's the same animal. But if it's been a long term issue, then that changes things. However, people all locked-and-loaded and wound up real tight are a danger in and of themselves. Leave it to the professionals, Rambo.

TimG · « **Reply #10 on:** Feb 10, 21, 09:05:07 AM »

Quote from: Joe Schmoe on Feb 09, 21, 11:06:53 PM

There's no way to say that's the same animal. But if it's been a long term issue, then that changes things. However, people all locked-and-loaded and wound up real tight are a danger in and of themselves. Leave it to the professionals, Rambo.

The sightings have been almost nightly the entire time. It's a mother and a juvenile. They used to hunt together, now they hunt separately, but the town is their dinner buffet. It might have started because there were so many rabbits in town this year from the wet winter. I noticed that in May/June, before they came. But however it happened, they learned this is easy pickings, and aren't afraid of humans, and that's dangerous.

Bob C · « **Reply #11 on:** Feb 10, 21, 12:50:05 PM »

Quote from: TimG on Feb 10, 21, 11:47:23 AM

This mountain lion (and possibly its cub) are not solitary and elusive, and don't avoid humans.

Have I missed some reports of the animal interacting (not avoiding) with humans?

Quote from: TimG on Feb 10, 21, 11:47:23 AM

They are here feeding on the animals we're supporting -- our dogs that we leave out alone at night, the raccoons eating our garbage and pet food left out, etc. We should all work to minimize those food sources. But that doesn't eliminate the danger of a massive predator coming here for dinner every time its hungry, and not being afraid to do so.

This is why people can't leave dogs outside/unattended/unsecured if you are living in the forest. Leaving pet food out is no different than chumming the waters for sharks. Why would someone set out that kind of "bait" and be surprised when a wild animal shows up?

City folk that come here need to adjust for where they are now living. Sure, you may have been able to leave your animals in the back yard all day when you lived in Orange County, but ya just can't do that up here. There's all kinds of ways people who move here need to adjust for this area... for climate/weather differences, fire/earthquake issues, and yes, even wildlife. Right?

Joe Schmoe · « **Reply #12 on:** Feb 10, 21, 04:19:58 PM »

One of those ways to adjust is to load yourself up with weapons and ammo, stir up some fear and protectionism in the neighborhood, and be ready to bust out your firearm and "take out" anything that looks like a mountain lion.....seriously unload your firearm in a neighborhood because you can't leave your doggo outside. What could possibly go wrong?

Get a flippin grip, ya' flippin nuts. You gun nuts have a boogeyman complex.

TimG · « **Reply #13 on:** Feb 10, 21, 09:22:30 PM »

Quote from: Joe Schmoe on Feb 10, 21, 04:19:58 PM

Get a flippin grip, ya' flippin nuts. You gun nuts have a boogeyman complex.

Who are you even talking to? Gun nuts and Rambo? Talk about a boogeyman complex. People should be aware that it's not a normal mountain lion; it's habituated and is here nightly. Fish and Wildlife should take it out before it attacks a kid. No one said anything about walking around shooting into the night.

Bob C. -- it's been reported in people's garages and putting its head in dog doors. There's a house on Ash it was walking through every night despite the owner's repeated attempts to scare it away. It's hunting here looking for pets, and has been for 8 months. It's also been seen out in the open during the day. People here should be aware and alert.

Joe Schmoe · « **Reply #14 on:** Feb 11, 21, 12:33:26 AM »

I'm referring to Yosemite Sam, here:

Quote from: dave57 on Feb 09, 21, 02:35:46 PM

All of us are prepared.
The guy from Fish and Wildlife also mentioned a "3 strike rule" which I'm assuming would mean 3 reports which they now have. I'd hate to kill the animal but if it's between our pets or, even worse, our kids
the cat will go down for sure.

Again, be safe and don't leave your pets out at night unless you are with them. I wouldn't go out at night without a gun.

I'm not going to get into a 2020-style interpretation of statements game. The meaning and tone of what he's saying is clear. So, now you have a mountain lion problem AND a gun nut problem.

Oh, and here's your story: https://abc7.com/pets-animals/mountain-lion-attacks-on-pets-sparks-concern-for-ie-community/10328052/

MNM · « **Reply #15 on:** Feb 11, 21, 07:35:00 AM »

The problem is, as I have found on almost every occasion here, is that the stories that are being passed around are just that...stories. Not to say that there is not some truth in the account, but there has been more embellishment that fact in the accounts I have been told. And that may simply be from the fact that I have heard it having been passed on so many times, so please do not interpret this as me calling anyone a liar. But I do know that there are real conditions like perception distortion and memory recall error, where additional "memory detail" can be inflated or even fully manufactured as the result of a traumatic incident. It is an accepted fact in cases like witness testimony and personal interviews following crimes and disasters.

To say that the CDFW needs to "take it out" is a very ignorant statement. How about all of the coyotes that could potentially take a small dog, or attack a child? Or all the raccoons that plague so may yards, that are one of the prime vectors for rabies? Or the bobcats that could attack a small child? Kill 'em all? I've seen all of them here in town. I have neighbors who have lost animals to coyotes. Bobcats frequent my street. Racoons are everywhere. We live in there home for goodness sake. This isn't the city. We need to stop trying to remove the wild from the wild and grow up a bit.

Do what each of us can to make out town inhospitable for the cat, and it will realize that this is not where it should come for food. The larger problem has been on this very forum. I understand their intensions may have been noble, but for people to suggest nd act on leaving out food and water for wild animals is asinine. It has nurtured an environment within Wrightwood that invites both nuisance animals as well as prey animal, thus drawing in predatory animals. As I stated before, a mountain lion does not know the word "pet" and cannot recognize fences or other structures as territorial boundaries. It sees "prey" and food. All it knows is that the stalking is a lot easier. Remove the enticement...and it self-mitigates the problem.

kingfish · « **Reply #16 on:** Feb 11, 21, 07:41:04 AM »

Only a question; I have heard of dogs being attacked, but I have not heard of any being eaten?

Nolena · « **Reply #17 on:** Feb 11, 21, 08:27:41 AM »

https://wildlife.ca.gov/Keep-Me-Wild

Lots of good information here.

Wrightwood · « **Reply #18 on:** Feb 11, 21, 08:42:56 AM »

Wrightwood residents concerned for pet safety after several mountain lion attacks

https://abc7.com/pets-animals/mountain-lion-attacks-on-pets-spark-concern-for-ie-community/10328052/

SkierBob · « **Reply #19 on:** Feb 11, 21, 10:29:49 AM »

So it's legal to discharge a firearm in a residential area if you're shooting at a Mountain Lion that's pursing your dog.