Summer is the perfect time to go running, walking, or hiking, but it’s always important to stay aware and be prepared. Whether you’re hiking with your dog or going on a solo adventure, you never know what challenges and surprises you may run into.
One Southern California hiker named Cortney Rasura learned this firsthand on July 3 while hiking by herself on the Gridley Trail in Ojai. She was looking at her phone while walking on the popular trail when she caught a glimpse of a mountain lion, also known as a cougar, stalking her from the corner of her eye. The moments that followed were tense and terrifying, though thankfully, neither Cortney nor the animal was hurt.
@ktlanews Southern California woman’s close encounter with a mountain lion captured on video. fyp wildlife ojai california cougar #mountainlion
That was too close of a call! I can only imagine how Cortney felt in that moment when the stalking mountain lion stared her down. Talk about a shock to the system!
While some commenters believed that the mountain lion’s “body language showed he wasn’t concerned with her,” others aren’t so convinced.
“Climbing the cliff is even more dangerous,” another viewer shared. “They’re known to hop on top of their prey from trees and cliffs.” That’s genuinely terrifying!
Although there was nothing Cortney could have done to avoid this wild animal encounter, she responded calmly and effectively when the situation arose. If that were me in her shoes, I’m not sure I would have been so calm.
“I would cry,” one commenter admitted. Me, too! People often forget that fight or flight responses are instinctual and automatic, but knowing what to do in case of a mountain lion sighting could save your life if you find yourself frozen in fear.
What To Do if You See a Mountain Lion
As an experienced hiker, Cortney knew not to run when she saw the big wild cat. Instead, she maintained eye contact with the cougar and held her ground. Fortunately, most mountain lions are just as eager to avoid confrontation as people are, so the vast majority of encounters end anticlimactically like this one.
According to the National Park Service, you should stay calm, stand still or back away slowly, and appear as large as possible if you see a mountain lion. Don’t bend over or crouch for any reason!
If the lion begins to move toward you or act aggressively, do everything you can to appear large and intimidating. Raise your arms, open a jacket, or use a loud voice like Cortney did. The idea is to show the lion that you are not prey, which will be even easier in a larger group of people.
I am so relieved that Cortney and the mountain lion are both perfectly fine after this encounter. Now everyone can breathe a sigh of relief!
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