"Immobility may be interpreted by the mountain lion as a sign that you are vulnerable prey," Coss tells, adding that not moving could lead the predator to think you're not aware of its presence or are incapable of escaping. They also had the greatest frequency of severe injuries: 43 percent of those who stood still in the face of a lion were badly injured compared with 17 percent of those who fled, according to the study. On the other hand, people who froze were the least likely to escape injury when a mountain lion attacked. About 39 percent, or 28 people, who moved away slowly when approached by a mountain lion escaped without injury. The study also found, however, that those who ran had a slightly higher chance of being killed in an attack-28 percent (five) of those who fled died as a result of injuries, compared with 23 percent (eight) of those who remained motionless during big cat attacks. His findings, reported in Anthrozoos: A Multidisciplinary Journal of the Interactions of People & Animals: half of the 18 people who ran when they were attacked escaped injury.
Richard Coss, a psychology professor and expert on the evolution of predator–prey relationships at the University of California, Davis, studied the behavior of 185 people who were attacked by mountain lions (aka pumas or cougars) between 18 in the U.S. Not necessarily, says a new study, which warns that standing still may up one's risk of becoming mountain lion chow. Instead, stand and face the animal."īut is it really safer to stay put than flee? And anyone who doesn't need only consult the Web site of the California Department of Fish and Game for the best tack to take if he or she happens upon a big cat while communing with nature: "Do not run from a lion," the site advises, warning that "running may stimulate a mountain lion's instinct to chase. Veteran campers and hikers know the drill, especially those in areas where mountain lions roam.
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