In a recent incident in the Santa Monica Mountains, a hiker sustained injuries while preventing a pair of mountain lions from attacking his dog. The incident occurred on Wednesday, prompting immediate action and safety measures.
According to a statement from the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, “This morning, an individual walking a small dog on a leash was injured when a young mountain lion attempted to attack the dog.” The hiker, in his brave attempt to protect his dog, suffered a puncture wound to his hand as well as a scratch, while fortunately, his dog remained unharmed.
The statement further noted the presence of a second young mountain lion in the vicinity during the incident. As a precautionary measure, park officials took the decision to temporarily close the Solstice Canyon area. The closure was anticipated to last until 8 a.m. the following day. In response to the incident, wildlife biologists were dispatched to assess the situation.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife officials revealed that no further action was planned. The area’s closure was initiated to provide the mountain lions time to vacate the area and minimize the risk of additional conflicts, as clarified in a statement by park officials on Facebook.
In light of this incident, hikers are advised to be prepared when exploring nature and encountering mountain lions. The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area recommends that in the event of a mountain lion encounter, hikers should “make yourself appear as large and intimidating as possible by yelling, waving your arms, and even throwing objects in the direction of the animal.” It is crucial to move slowly away, allowing space for the mountain lion to retreat, and not to turn and run.
Additionally, hikers are strongly advised to keep their pets on a leash, no longer than six feet, at all times. These precautions are essential for ensuring the safety of both hikers and their animal companions in mountain lion territory.
