CLEARLAKE ? Residents in the Dam Road area are getting a scare from a mountain lion that has allegedly been roaming the area for about a month. One resident said that the lion is becoming more brazen, venturing closer and closer to the residential areas of neighborhood.
“In the beginning he was centering himself in the rocky areas and the fields but now he”s gotten braver and is coming closer,” Cheryl Masters said. “The cat was seen right across the street from Cache Creek Mobile Home Park. There are a lot kids and pets living in that park and it”s kind of scary having a mountain lion so close. I”m concern, too for the number of people walking out there. They take long walks and some of them take their pets.”
According to Paul Hofmann, Department of Fish and Game (DFG) biologist for the Lake County area, statistically, mountain lions are not generally a problem. “Residents in that area probably have more to worry about with things like rattlesnakes and bee stings,” he said.
Hofmann said that many times outside food sources can attract mountain lions into an area. Keeping a clean neighborhood helps eliminate problems with wildlife, he said. “People like to attract wildlife into their yards and that attracts things like mountain lions, opossums, skunks ? things that could have rabies,” he said. “The best and easiest thing to do is not feed the wild animals. Don”t attract wild animals into your yard. Keep your yard clean as far as food goes and clean up your garbage.”
Hofmann continued, “Things like mountain lions are attracted by the deer or even your pets. That brings them in for these easy meals.”
Hofmann said that mountain lion sightings tend to occur in the summer time. “As things dry out, animals are attracted to the irrigated lawns. By having those irrigated areas you are kind of attracting those wild animals, drawing them in,” he said.
According to the DFG Web site, more than half of the state is mountain lion habitat. The animals generally exist wherever deer are found. They are solitary and elusive and their nature is to avoid humans. The DFG advises the following to residents living in mountain lion country:
?Don”t feed deer; it is illegal in California and will attract mountain lions.
?Deer-proof your landscaping by avoiding plants that deer like to eat.
?Trim brush to reduce hiding places for mountain lions.
?Don”t leave small children or pets outside unattended.
?Install motion-sensitive lighting around the house.
?Provide sturdy, covered shelters for sheep, goats and other vulnerable animals.
?Bring pet food inside to avoid attracting raccoons, opossums and other potential mountain lion prey.
Should you come in contact with a mountain lion, the DFG advises you refrain from approaching the animal but do not run. Instead, face the animal, make noise and try to look bigger by waving your arms; throw rocks or other objects and pick up small children. If attacked, the DFG advises you fight back. The DFG also advises against hiking, biking or jogging alone. People should also avoid hiking or jogging when mountain lions are most active – at dawn, dusk and at night.
A call was placed to the county trapper”s office; however, the field officer was not available for comment because he was in Lucerne trying to trap a bear.
According to the DFG, bears are attracted to anything edible or smelly. Tips for staying safe in bear country are similar to those pertaining to mountain lions. They are accessible through the DFG Web site, www.dfg.ca.gov.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
