Mountain biker killed by mountain lion

  • Thread starter Dean A. Stepper
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Dean A. Stepper wrote:
>
http://www2.ocregister.com/ocrweb/ocr/article.do?id=75251&section=BREAKING_NEWS&subsection=BREAKING-
_NEWS&year=2004&month=1&day=8

[for those of us that hate registering for sites like that
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/news/010804_nw_mt_lion.html ]

Damn, I can't believe that. I just rode there the other weekend... I love that little trail. We were
kicking at this one section, and I my buddy whispers at me, bro, check that out." I look over and
there's two deer out in broad daylight feeding in a heavily used section of the trail. As I look
closer, I notice a few more of them, the whole family was out. I thought this is really strange and
a little spooky. I told my friend, "C'mon, let's get out of here before we scare them, not to
mention they could be *someone's dinner".

I thought mountain lion attacks on adults were very, very rare ?? Anybody have/know any info about
mountain lion habits?

--
Slacker
 
Slacker scribbled on a scrap of paper:
> Dean A. Stepper wrote:
>>
>
http://www2.ocregister.com/ocrweb/ocr/article.do?id=75251&section=BREAKING_NEWS&subsection=BREAKING-
_NEWS&year=2004&month=1&day=8
>
>
> [for those of us that hate registering for sites like that
> http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/news/010804_nw_mt_lion.html ]
>
> Damn, I can't believe that. I just rode there the other weekend... I love that little trail. We
> were kicking at this one section, and I my buddy whispers at me, bro, check that out." I look over
> and there's two deer out in broad daylight feeding in a heavily used section of the trail. As I
> look closer, I notice a few more of them, the whole family was out. I thought this is really
> strange and a little spooky. I told my friend, "C'mon, let's get out of here before we scare them,
> not to mention they could be *someone's dinner".
>
> I thought mountain lion attacks on adults were very, very rare ?? Anybody have/know any info about
> mountain lion habits?

just the other day I heard a very interesting news report on NPR about lions in particular,
especially in Boulder. It seems that they are getting habituated to people, and that in some cased
they are starting to view humans as prey. There was a case cited in Boulder where a lion was
stalking some teens for several days at a high school, and then killed and ate them. I may have my
facts screwed up, but they were talking about a recent book that really questions a lot of the
thinking on lions, and looks at how animals are changing their patterns with so much human life
moving into their habitats.

Penny
 
On 2004-01-09, Slacker penned:
> Dean A. Stepper wrote:
>>
>
> [for those of us that hate registering for sites like that
> http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/news/010804_nw_mt_lion.html ]
>

All of the trails I ride on are part of mountain lion habitats. When I remember that little fact, I
generally pick up the pace to rejoin the group. Guess that's a good thing.

Signs around those trails ask people to call in if they so much as see a mountain lion -- I'm
assuming that, if a mountain lion is forward enough to even come near humans, there's probably
something wrong with it.

These mountain lion safety tips may be of interest:

http://www2.ucsc.edu/police/liondoc1.html

As for your article, what a weird sentence:

"According to broadcast reports, the lion was being persistent and kept trying to come back to claim
its kill, possibly a female."

I assume the article should read, "The lion, possibly female, was being persistent and kept trying
to come back to claim its kill (the biker)."

--
monique
 
On 2004-01-09, Penny S penned:
>
> just the other day I heard a very interesting news report on NPR about lions in particular,
> especially in Boulder. It seems that they are getting habituated to people, and that in some cased
> they are starting to view humans as prey. There was a case cited in Boulder where a lion was
> stalking some teens for several days at a high school, and then killed and ate them. I may have my
> facts screwed up, but they were talking about a recent book that really questions a lot of the
> thinking on lions, and looks at how animals are changing their patterns with so much human life
> moving into their habitats.
>

Ugh. Mountain lion stalkers.

Maybe this *wasn't* the year for me to start mountain biking ... in Boulder ...

To make it even sweeter, if you're in a group, the lion will certainly go after the smallest in the
party ... so if you're a typically-sized female, maybe invite a smaller friend that you wouldn't
mind losing?

--
monique
 
>> I thought mountain lion attacks on adults were very, very rare ?? Anybody have/know any info
>> about mountain lion habits?
>
>
> just the other day I heard a very interesting news report on NPR about lions in particular,
> especially in Boulder. It seems that they are getting habituated to people, and that in some cased
> they are starting to view humans as prey. There was a case cited in Boulder where a lion was
> stalking some teens for several days at a high school, and then killed and ate them. I may have my
> facts screwed up, but they were talking about a recent book that really questions a lot of the
> thinking on lions, and looks at how animals are changing their patterns with so much human life
> moving into their habitats.
>
> Penny

This reminded of another trail in the Santa Monica mountains a couple years ago. I was riding solo.
Something in the brushes was running thru them following me for several miles. It freaked me out so
much, I would stop every so often, pick up some rocks and throw them into the bushes in hopes of
scaring the damn thing. I never did actually see it, but by the way it moved, I was pretty sure it
was a m lion.

And I thought I gave up feeling like someone's food when I stopped surfing.
--
Slacker
 
Monique Y. Herman wrote:
> On 2004-01-09, Penny S penned:
>>
>> just the other day I heard a very interesting news report on NPR about lions in particular,
>> especially in Boulder. It seems that they are getting habituated to people, and that in some
>> cased they are starting to view humans as prey. There was a case cited in Boulder where a lion
>> was stalking some teens for several days at a high school, and then killed and ate them. I may
>> have my facts screwed up, but they were talking about a recent book that really questions a lot
>> of the thinking on lions, and looks at how animals are changing their patterns with so much human
>> life moving into their habitats.
>>
>
> Ugh. Mountain lion stalkers.
>
> Maybe this *wasn't* the year for me to start mountain biking ... in Boulder ...
>
> To make it even sweeter, if you're in a group, the lion will certainly go after the smallest in
> the party ... so if you're a typically-sized female, maybe invite a smaller friend that you
> wouldn't mind losing?

lol !

BTW, congrats on the wedding plans. Sorry, but a man eating ***** just reminded of the wedding ;~)
--
Slacker
 
"Monique Y. Herman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On 2004-01-09, Penny S penned:
> >
> > just the other day I heard a very interesting news report on NPR about lions in particular,
> > especially in Boulder. It seems that they are getting habituated to people, and that in some
> > cased they are starting to view humans as prey. There was a case cited in Boulder where a lion
> > was stalking some teens for several days at a high school, and then killed and ate them. I may
> > have my facts screwed up, but they were talking about a recent book that really questions a lot
> > of the thinking on lions, and looks at how animals are changing their patterns with so much
> > human life moving into their habitats.
> >
>
> Ugh. Mountain lion stalkers.
>
> Maybe this *wasn't* the year for me to start mountain biking ... in Boulder ...
>
> To make it even sweeter, if you're in a group, the lion will certainly go after the smallest in
> the party ... so if you're a typically-sized female, maybe invite a smaller friend that you
> wouldn't mind losing?
>
Pack a weapon in a shoulder holster.
 
I ride that park once or twice a week..mostly on my way thru going on up to
the Luge. Numerous deer down on cow run trail that seem to be a little too
comfortable ...had a feeling that they would attract puma. Home owners on
the other side of Silverado in Mojeski Canyon have lost goats and a turkey
recently. Only a mater of time before the cat got braver. Hope they get
the cat...I assume they will close the park until they do.
"KLP" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:bnqLb.35477$i55.17316@fed1read06...
> Wow. I was in the park this afternoon and saw those two girls at four corners. There were about 8
> guys up there too. I left right before them.
>
> Makes you think
>
>
> "Dean A. Stepper" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:ASoLb.47889$gN.16859@fed1read05...
> >
>
http://www2.ocregister.com/ocrweb/ocr/article.do?id=75251&section=BREAKING_N
> EWS&subsection=BREAKING_NEWS&year=2004&month=1&day=8
> >
>
 
Probably not long Whiting Ranch is very popular. The investigation will be
interesting. Here is a better article
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-lion9jan09,1,4558703.story?coll=la-home-headlines

"Trey C." <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
>
>
> Dean A. Stepper wrote:
> >
http://www2.ocregister.com/ocrweb/ocr/article.do?id=75251&section=BREAKING_NEWS&subsection=BREAKING-
_NEWS&year=2004&month=1&day=8
> >
> >
>
> Local News said the biker was only injured. However, while removing the injured cyclist, they
> found a dead body. I wonder how long that body was out in the open?
>
> T.C.
 
spademan o---[) * wrote:
> "Dean A. Stepper" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:ASoLb.47889$gN.16859@fed1read05...
>>
>
http://www2.ocregister.com/ocrweb/ocr/article.do?id=75251&section=BREAKING_N
> EWS&subsection=BREAKING_NEWS&year=2004&month=1&day=8
>>
>>
> Quote "The threat of mountain lions has become an increasing problem in Southern California as
> development encroaches upon rural areas that have been home to various animals.."
>
> Who is threatening who here?

Good point.
--
Westie (Replace 'invalid' with 'yahoo' when replying.)
 
"Slacker" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Dean A. Stepper wrote:
> >
>
http://www2.ocregister.com/ocrweb/ocr/article.do?id=75251&section=BREAKING_NEWS&subsection=BREAKING-
_NEWS&year=2004&month=1&day=8
>
>
> [for those of us that hate registering for sites like that
> http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/news/010804_nw_mt_lion.html ]

>
> I thought mountain lion attacks on adults were very, very rare ?? Anybody have/know any info about
> mountain lion habits?
>
> --
> Slacker
>
>
Here ya go Slacker. Nothing that 5 seconds of google with "mountain lion attacks" couldn't find! ;-)

from http://tchester.org/sgm/lists/lion_attacks.html yeah, yeah, I can't verify the credibility of
the sources so it could fall under the "if it's on the internet it must be true" but the sources
seem credible enough.

In California, from 1986 through 1998, exactly two people died from mountain lion attacks, whereas
in one year alone, over 4,000 people died in traffic accidents, including 800 pedestrians. This
means that your car or someone else's car is ~2,000 times more likely to kill you than is a mountain
lion. (A Detailed Calculation gives the ratio as between 1,150 and 4,300.)

Over 300 people have been killed by domestic dogs in the U.S. between 1979 and the late 1990s. This
means that your family dog or your neighbor's dog is ten times more likely to kill you than is a
mountain lion and hundreds of time more likely than is a coyote.

and for a complete list of all attacks in California, ever, see this page:
http://tchester.org/sgm/lists/lion_attacks_ca.html

Michael
 
In article <[email protected]>, slacker7 @sbcglobal.net says...
> Dean A. Stepper wrote:
> >
> http://www2.ocregister.com/ocrweb/ocr/article.do?id=75251&section=BREAKING_NEWS&subsection=BREAKI-
> NG_NEWS&year=2004&month=1&day=8
>
>
> [for those of us that hate registering for sites like that
> http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/news/010804_nw_mt_lion.html ]
>
> Damn, I can't believe that. I just rode there the other weekend... I love that little trail. We
> were kicking at this one section, and I my buddy whispers at me, bro, check that out." I look over
> and there's two deer out in broad daylight feeding in a heavily used section of the trail. As I
> look closer, I notice a few more of them, the whole family was out. I thought this is really
> strange and a little spooky. I told my friend, "C'mon, let's get out of here before we scare them,
> not to mention they could be *someone's dinner".
>
> I thought mountain lion attacks on adults were very, very rare ?? Anybody have/know any info about
> mountain lion habits?
>
> --
> Slacker
>
>
>

Maybe they've got a "Ghost and the Darkness" situation brewing there.
--
_________________________
Chris Phillipo - Cape Breton, Nova Scotia http://www.ramsays-online.com
 
Slacker wrote:
> I thought mountain lion attacks on adults were very, very rare ?? Anybody have/know any info about
> mountain lion habits?

Around/about one a year in California since the 1980s, most not fatal. The number may be going up as
more people live and recreate in mountain lion habitat (and secondarily, because the lion population
has returned near extirpation). There were no verifiable injuries from lion attacks reported in CA
between 1909 and 1986 (!), but since then there have been several (only a few deaths). See

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/lion/ http://www.dfg.ca.gov/lion/outdoor.lion.html

Monique Y. Herman <[email protected]> wrote:

> All of the trails I ride on are part of mountain lion habitats. When I remember that little fact,
> I generally pick up the pace to rejoin the group. Guess that's a good thing.

> Signs around those trails ask people to call in if they so much as see a mountain lion -- I'm
> assuming that, if a mountain lion is forward enough to even come near humans, there's probably
> something wrong with it.

> These mountain lion safety tips may be of interest:

> http://www2.ucsc.edu/police/liondoc1.html

Hey, that's my campus. You can read our lion sightings at http://www2.ucsc.edu/police/lion3.html,
even the chancellor saw one. (Of course, she has a house with a nice picture window ...)

I've seen a mountain lion in Wilder Ranch this past year. Wish I'd had a camera. Fortunately, it was
more interested in avoiding me than in eating me.
 
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