Living Alongside Wild Cats

If you live in a suburban area on the urban edge or in a rural area, you are probably living in proximity to wild cats. Bobcats and mountain lions (also known as pumas or cougars) are found throughout most of the US. They have deep territorial ties that cover 50–150 miles on average, so they can sometimes unknowingly venture into towns. This is especially true in towns that border wilderness and allow wildlife to venture into their streets. Mountain lions often live in low-density populations and they follow prey. So when deer, racoons, and other animals are foraging near towns, mountain lions will try to find them. Outdoor pet water bowls and sheds or other outbuildings also offer necessary cover and a water source.

When we build our towns and neighborhoods, we are building in their habitat. This is their ecosystem where their food lives. Wild cats are not inherently dangerous, but they can be if an encounter goes poorly or if they feel threatened.

This is why it is important to understand your local ecosystem and which wild cat species may be a part of it. Living in proximity with wild cats means being responsible for your relationship with them. This is their home and their territory. We need to be aware of what we are doing to encourage them to enter our neighborhoods and properties.

First and foremost, stay calm. Remember: you are in their home. Wild cats are incredibly stealthy creatures and excellent hunters. If you are seeing one, they are most likely not hunting.

They could be making themselves known because they have babies nearby and are trying to scare you away. This is typically the case if they appear actively aggressive. If they are simply making their way through, they are most likely just out for a walk. They could be checking out their territory. They could also be sick.

It’s important to remember that wild cats do not eat humans and they rarely attack without provocation. Wild cats eat a variety of  animals, such as racoons, rabbits, and rodents, and deer. Deer are usually their main prey, but they will feast everything from mouse to moose. They are not inherently aggressive or violent - they only attack to hunt. Since they do not prey on humans, they will very rarely attack humans without provocation. Want to know how to act if you see one in your neighborhood? Check out our safety essentials.

You are more likely to be killed by falling plane parts than by a mountain lion. But “it is impossible to reduce the small risk to zero without eliminating either mountain lions or humans from lion habitat,” according to Paul Beier, one of North America’s premiere puma researchers.

You can report your sighting to your state and game agencies and any local wildlife organizations. We recommend this if the encounter felt very dangerous.

If you simply see one in the US, consider reporting it to the Bay Area Puma Project!

Additional Resources:

Responsible landscaping and keeping livestock safe

Eradicating cats is not the answer. Ranchers and animals hobbyists can take steps to protect their animals while living in harmony with wild cats:

1. Make the property less attractive to wild cats. Wild cats' natural prey is deer and small animals. So you can use deer-resistant plants and keep animal food inside enclosures that would not attract wild animals.

2. Practice responsible livestock management. If wild cats can find their natural prey, they're less likely to attack livestock. To promote the prey population, rotate grazing areas often. This will allow for used areas to be restored. During the dry season, you can also give your livestock extra feed. If you can avoid grazing when resources are low, there will be more food for the wild cats' prey. Additionally, wild cats often prey on baby animals and newborns. To stop them from going after your babies, coordinate birthing seasons with native animals.

3. Bring free-ranging livestock into some kind of pen at nightfall. Wild cats are nocturnal and mainly hunt at night. Fully-enclosed structures have been proven most effective. But if this is not an option, other techniques improve safety.

   Effective night enclosures include:

   • Roofs that are sturdy enough to hold the weight of a snow load or a large wild cat, such as a mountain lion.
   • An “apron” around the edge of the fence to prevent digging animals, such as coyotes, from getting in. Fencing material should be put along the ground and extended out a few feet from the fence.
   • Chain link laid across the floor of the pen.

4. Have guard animals. Guard dogs, if raised and trained properly, are an effective means of preventing livestock loss through wild cat attack. The best breeds are the Anatolian Shepherd, Akbash, Great Pyrenees, and Komondor. Make sure to introduce guard dogs at a young age, around 8 weeks old, and limit their exposure to people. Work with a training professional to make sure your dog is trained properly.

5. Use motion lights and alarms. Motion-detecting lights, The Scarecrow, and The Electronic Guard are devices that can frighten wild cats away from livestock. The Scarecrow sprays cold water at the predator. The Electronic Guard uses lights and noise patterns to scare them. To stop wild cats from getting used to them, change the device up regularly.

6. Be sure to put up fencing. If you’re not able to use a covered pen, tall fences are a good option. We recommend doing this before a wild cat discovers the livestock. If a wild cat - specifically, a mountain lion - thinks of the animals as prey, it'll be harder to fend off. Mountain lions can jump up to 22 ft feet vertically, so fences should be built as high as possible. Where feasible, electric fencing is ideal, and fences should be used in combination with other deterrents, such as motion lights, voice alarms, guard dogs, and roofed enclosures for keeping animals safe at night.  

We do recognize that fences are best for small pastures, but less ideal for public lands or rangelands. They're also less ideal in a place where it stops the natural movement of wildlife. To not harm local species, consider fencing a small area and calling the animals in at night. We definitely recommend this during birthing season.

We do also recommend using temporary or portable fencing. A good alternative is electric fencing, which is simple to set up and later move.