Posted on 07/21/2007 4:03:40 PM PDT by george76
A mountain lion killed a goat at a children's camp this weekend near Big Bear Lake, prompting warnings that camp operators should protect their young visitors by securing garbage and small animals.
"The problem with this cat is its bold behavior," Brennan said. "It entered a camp and took a goat among 200 sleeping kids."
The big cat dragged the goat away from an animal pen to an outdoor amphitheater, where it ate its fill and abandoned the carcass before dawn Sunday at Camp Oakes.
The YMCA-owned camp is off Highway 38 about six miles southeast of Big Bear City.
"One of our wranglers, who takes care of the horses, went out and found the drag marks and discovered the carcass," ...
The attack prompted the closure of the camp's small petting zoo of goats and chickens.
"We don't have any more small animals on site," Darling said. "Anything that could be considered (predator) bait we got homes for."
There are about 4,000 to 6,000 mountain lions, also known as cougars, in the state, according to the California Department of Fish and Game.
"We know it from the tracks and drag marks."
And what tracks.
"It has the largest tracks that any of us have seen on a mountain lion," Brennan said, recalling that the heel pads alone are 2.6 inches wide.
"He's definitely in excess of 140 pounds."
Federal hunters initially tried to track down the big cat, but their dogs couldn't find its scent in the hot and dry conditions. So they set a cage trap for the animal.
"We caught a bear in the trap instead of a mountain lion,"
Based on the lion's unusually large size, Brennan said he believes that the same animal caused problems two years ago.
(Excerpt) Read more at pe.com ...
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.357 mag, .44 mag to be safe.
Poor innocent little goat......
Thanks for the ping.
I’ve seen those pics of the mule killing the cougar, it really did a number on him.
I’m familiar with the Big Bear area, grew up in So CA and have spent time there. It’s a fairly well populated area now and it’s pretty evident the cougar has lost it’s fear of man. I hope they track it down before a person is hurt or killed.
The lion apparently did not finish the goat, so the lion may be back ?
He could come back for it I suppose but after them having dogs there to track it I don’t know.
As far as that lion relocating himself I’d say that’s just a guess. Up in those mountains is Crestline, Arrowhead, Running Springs and Big Bear and a lot of people, that would pretty much take care of the 120 to 200 square miles the guy mentioned.
If California has 4,000 to 6,000 mountain lions , there may not be a spare 120 square miles empty now.
Yep, numbers like reflect making the hunting of them illegal. I believe that law was passed in the late 80’s, it was after I left CA. I hunted in many different areas of CA years ago and never saw a cougar, they were very much afraid of man when they could be hunted.
Most excellent!
They should protect their young visitors by carrying guns.
I’ve hiked the Cougar Crest trial several times. It’s well named. I hope this cougar remains uncaptured.
I hear you and I’m not for killing cougars or any animals for no reason but predators that become problems should be dealt with. Hopefully this one stays away from people.
This may be of some interest ?
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A Mountain Lion's Perspective |
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LOL! That’s pretty funny!
It’s very clever. :o)
big cat there.
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