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Human-Wildlife Conflicts: Mountain Lions

head and shoulders of an adult mountain lion

Mountain lions (Puma concolor), also known as puma, cougar or panther, are native to California and the second largest felid in North America. They inhabit diverse habitat types throughout the state, including forests and foothills, coastal, rural, and wildlife-urban interfaces. They are reclusive and solitary animals, mostly avoiding people when possible.

Mountain lions provide many ecosystem benefits by helping to maintain healthy prey populations. They will hunt deer and elk, invasive species such as wild pigs and feral horses, and smaller animals such as coyotes, raccoons, and rodents. Potential conflict with mountain lions may occur due to property damage and loss of livestock or pets while hunting. Feeding other wildlife, such as deer, may attract mountain lions.

Prevent Potential Conflicts

Preventing Conflicts

Mountain lions typically pose little threat to humans, and generally avoid any human interaction. People who live in mountain lion habitat can take precautions to reduce their risk of encountering a mountain lion. Learn more!

  • Avoid hiking, biking, or jogging alone -- or at dawn, dusk, or at night.
  • Deer-proof your property to avoid attracting a lion's main food source.
  • Remove dense vegetation from around the home to reduce hiding spaces.
  • Install outdoor lighting to make it difficult for mountain lions to approach unseen.
  • Secure livestock and outdoor large pets in sturdy, covered shelters at night.

Mountain Lion Depredation

Property owners should report concerns of potential or actual mountain lion depredation (livestock or pet loss) to CDFW. A depredation permit may be issued for confirmed depredation - using a stepwise process that prioritizes effective nonlethal actions, pursuant to Fish and Game Code sections 4802 and 4801.5. CDFW provides technical assistance that includes educational materials, resources, and reasonable preventative recommendations (e.g., carcass removal, exclusion fencing, livestock protection animals).

Prevent Potential Conflicts

Outdoor Safety Tips

Mountain lions typically pose little threat to humans, and generally avoid any human interaction. A person is one thousand times more likely to be struck by lightning than attacked by a mountain lion. People who live in mountain lion habitat can take precautions to reduce their risk of encountering a mountain lion.

  • Do NOT hike, bike, or jog at dawn, dusk, or at night. Avoid hiking, biking, or jogging alone.
  • Deer-proof your property to avoid attracting a lion's main food source.
  • Remove dense vegetation from around the home to reduce hiding spaces.
  • Install outdoor lighting to make it difficult for mountain lions to approach unseen.
  • Secure livestock and outdoor large pets in sturdy, covered shelters at night.

If You Encounter a Mountain Lion

  • Stay alert on trails. Keep pets leashed and walk with small children, don't let them run ahead.
  • Never approach a mountain lion. Give them an escape route.
  • DO NOT RUN. Stay calm. Do not turn your back.
  • Face the animal, make loud noise and try to look bigger. If with small children, put them on your shoulders.
  • Do not crouch down or bend over.

Few sightings result in a mountain lion being identified as an imminent threat to public safety. Most reports are resolved by providing species information and technical assistance. Mountain lion attacks on humans are rare. Since 1890, there have been less than 50 verified mountain lion attacks on humans in California, including six fatal incidents. In most cases the person was lone when the attacked occurred.

Additional Resources

Wildlife Health Lab
1701 Nimbus Road Suite D, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
(916) 358-2790 | WILAB@wildlife.ca.gov