Statement on Puma attack in El Dorado County Mar 23, 2024

In light of the tragic incident in El Dorado County this past weekend, our heartfelt condolences go out to the family of Taylen Brooks, who lost his life in a mountain lion attack. Our thoughts are also with the injured 18-year-old and their loved ones during this difficult time. While details about the attack are still emerging, it's crucial to note that the involved mountain lion was a subadult male weighing approximately 80 to 90 lbs. Such occurrences are exceedingly rare, with this incident marking only the sixth fatal attack by a mountain lion on a human in California since 1890.

Living alongside predators like mountain lions inevitably carries some level of risk. Maintaining awareness of your surroundings at all times is paramount to staying safe. If you encounter a mountain lion, resist the urge to flee. Instead, stand your ground, appear tall, and make noise to assert your presence. If approached, make yourself appear larger and throw objects to discourage further interaction. In the rare event of an attack, defend yourself vigorously to compel the mountain lion to retreat. Always allow the animal a wide berth to leave the area without feeling threatened.

It's important to keep in mind that your chances of being struck by lightning are 1000 times greater than encountering a fatal mountain lion attack. Additionally, the last fatal mountain lion attack in California occurred in 2004. These statistics underscore the rarity of such incidents and the importance of remaining vigilant and informed while enjoying outdoor activities in mountain lion territory.

Our organization remains committed to supporting coexistence between humans and wildlife, urging everyone to exercise caution and respect while enjoying the natural beauty of our shared habitats.

Felidae Conservation Fund www.felidaefund.org

Bay Area Puma Project www.bapp.org