Mountain Lion On Loose After Fatal Attack

KNBC news ^ | KNBC news

[SoCal Pubbie]

LOS ANGELES -- A mountain lion is reportedly on the loose after attacking and killing a biker in a popular hiking and camping area in South Orange County. Two other bikers were also injured by the "aggressive animal."

The attack took place in the Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park in the Cleveland National Forest which is located near Lake Forest, Calif.

A male mountain biker between 20 to 30 years of age was attacked and killed by the mountain lion. When two female bikers came across the man they stopped to try and help him. At that point, the mountain lion, apparently trying to defend it's kill, pounced on one of the women.

The other woman reportedly saved her friend by throwing rocks at the mountain lion and scaring it away. As paramedics tried to help the victims, the animal continued trying to attack. Because paramedics are not armed, Orange County officials sent in an observer to help protect the group. The most seriously injured in the attack was airlifted to a local hospital.

Officials were initially trying to capture the animal, but because it keeps coming back and is described as "very, very aggressive," they are now considering it for termination. The animal is believed to weigh about 150-pounds. Officials had to use their helicopter unit to help chase the animal off. The area is being treated as a crime scene.

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[SoCal Pubbie]

Several mountain bikers attacked, one dead, one in hospital. About four miles from my house. This is an ongoing problem in South Orange County.

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[billorites]

the "aggressive animal."

"Misunderstood," is probably more accurate.

[Hardastarboard]

I'm hearing that there are mountain lions in the southern part of Illinois, from guys who hunt there all the time. It's a little scary, since there never used to be ANY wildlife there to speak of at all.

[Guillermo]

Seems like it's time to start carrying a gun on their bike rides...

[billorites]

"I'm hearing that there are mountain lions in the southern part of Illinois"

Yes, and they've mentioned you by name.

[SoCal Pubbie]

Cougar attacks come and go here. Two decades ago this was all farmland or wilderness area, and with development they left a lot of green belts. Always have to be on the lookout for mountain lions and coyotes.

[jwalburg]

The area is being treated as a crime scene.

Hope they don't forget to read the lion its Miranda rights.

[SoCal Pubbie]

In all honesty, I'm not sure a gun would have helped that much. The lion leaped on a woman's back, then got a hold of her face. Yes, shooting the beast may prevent it from killing others, but they're so stealthy I doubt a victim would have much time to react.

[Bedford Forrest]

"The area is being treated as a crime scene."

What the f@#k, over? After they rename this mountain lion an "upland fur person", presumably so they can arraign him, what are they going to charge him with - cannibalism? Or was it Bigfoot that did the deed. Things are very strange in Kali, no doubt about it.

[DeSoto]

I know that having this incident within 4 miles of your house is a bit scary, but given that, I am glad that this happened near LA.

If this happened in the dingweeds of Montana, Idaho, Oregon or wherever, the fruits and nuts of LA that fuel the environmental extremism wouldn't get the message. If the LA extremists become afraid to walk outside, then perhaps something will change.

Personally, I think that Mountain Lions should be very rare and only kept in zoos.

[Free Trapper]

You could at least shoot the dern critter while he was munching on someone else.

[expatpat]

Where is this? Near El Toro and Laguna?

[SoCal Pubbie]

Map here
http://www.biketrails.com/whiting.html

[paul51]

Officials were initially trying to capture the animal, but because it keeps coming back and is described as "very, very aggressive," they are now considering it for termination

Yeah. Send out a few more 'observers' and study it for a month or so. After all, the animal has only killed one person and attacked a few others. Incidentally, that women throwing rocks at it and chasing it off has some guts. To bad she wasn't armed. She could have cleaned up the whole situation right then and there.

[SoCal Pubbie]

Scary, no, reason for caution, yes. Mountain lions have actually been seen in my housing track at times. I saw a coyote run down our street a few months ago.

[SoCal Pubbie]

Men arriving on the scene threw the rocks.

[paul51]

The other woman reportedly saved her friend by throwing rocks at the mountain lion and scaring it away.

[Guillermo]

But you see, if the lion knows you're packing, he'd be less apt to attack...it's a deterrence thing.

[ambrose]

Mountain Lions are no more dangerous than your average kitten.