Millions of people go on hikes through cougar country every year. Mountain lions live throughout western states, with the occasional sightings in other areas. For the most part, people never come across these animals, and there’s close to zero interaction between them. However, mountain lions are out there, and this video capturing a mountain lion growl will remind you to take safety precautions.
Watch this clip towards the end to hear the animal’s growl:
Wildlife photographer Fernando Boza captured this video in Colorado on a nature preserve owned by the Nature Conservancy.
According to Boza, the footage captures multiple mountain lions that thrive in the area. In the last clip at night, you hear the low growl reminiscent of what you would expect from an African lion.
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Remember These Mountain Lion Safety Tips
In reality, most mountain lions want little to do with people and generally keep their distance. However, taking the proper precautions is the right decision for anyone heading into the backcountry.
The Humane Society of the United States had these tips to keep in mind when heading out on a hike or recreating in cougar country:
- Take a friend with you; avoid venturing into cougar country alone.
- Be aware of your surroundings (e.g. don’t wear headphones).
- Bring along a whistle or an air horn that could help scare away wild animals you may encounter.
- Keep children under the age of 16 close and don’t allow young children to play outdoors unsupervised. Walk with children between two adults or hold them by the hand.
- Keep your dog on a leash 6 feet long or less.
Generally, these steps should keep you safe, but if you come face-to-face with a mountain lion, staying calm is essential. Do not run, as this may trigger their natural chase instincts. Wildlife experts say you should face the animal but not directly in their eyes and appear as big as possible. Yelling or throwing rocks should keep the animal away. If a mountain lion attacks, you should fight back with any means possible.
