• View of Grand Canyon National Park at sunset from the South Rim

    Grand Canyon

    National Park Arizona

Ranger Minute - Mountain Lions

Ranger Minutes are short audiocasts or videocasts in which a park ranger shares interesting stories and information about Grand Canyon National Park.

 
 
Grand Canyon National Park Ranger Minute
Mountain Lions by Park Ranger Lori Rome
Running Time 03m:33s - March, 2007 - Produced by Park Ranger David Smith
Available Downloads: right-click on link - then select: save target/ file/ link as
mp3
Audiocast		 mp4 Video
iPod/ devices		 wmv Video
Windows Media		 Transcript
3.1 MB mp3 file 19.1 MB mp4 file 13.6 MB wmv file 53 kb pdf File
 

If you encounter a mountain lion:

The Arizona Department of Game and Fish says:

  • Do not approach the animal. Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation. Give them a way to escape.
  • Stay calm and speak loudly and firmly.
  • Do not run from a mountain lion. Running may stimulate a mountain lion’s instinct to chase. Stand and face the animal. Make eye contact.
  • Appear larger. Raise your arms. Open your jacket if you are wearing one. Throw stones, branches, or whatever you can reach without crouching or turning your back. Wave your arms slowly. The idea is to convince the lion that you are not easy prey and that you may be a danger to it.
  • Maintain eye contact and slowly back away toward a building, vehicle, or busy area.
  • Protect small children so they won’t panic and run.
  • Fight back if attacked. Many potential victims have fought back successfully with rocks, sticks, caps, jackets, garden tools, their bare hands, and even mountain bikes. Since a mountain lion usually tries to bite the head or neck, try to remain standing and face the animal.
  • Report all mountain lion attacks to 911.

For more information, visit the Arizona Game and Fish webpage:
Living With Mountain Lions

 
mountain lion at GRCA

Mountain Lion (Puma concolor)

NPS Photo by Elaine Leslie

Mountain lions (Puma concolor, also called cougars or pumas) inhabit the canyons and forests of Grand Canyon National Park and are the region's only remaining large predator. Surprisingly, very little is known about this secretive animal's behavior, range, and habits.

In this Ranger Minute, Park Ranger Lori Rome shares some interesting facts.
 
Related Information

Mountain Lion Research in Grand Canyon National Park

Mountain Lion Kittens Tagged (2007)

Discovering Mountain Lion Kittens - Trip Report (2007)

Remembering Eric York, Biologist

Lions and Loss

 
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Ranger Minutes are short audiocasts or videocasts in which a park ranger shares interesting stories and information about Grand Canyon National Park. Learn more about the the nature, science, history and culture of the canyon with a park ranger as your guide.

While visiting Grand Canyon National Park, attend a free Ranger program or guided walk. Downlad the current schedule here.

iPod, and iPhone Owners... These podcasts are available for free download from the Inside Grand Canyon Channel on the iTunes Music Store.

Did You Know?

SWITCHBACKS ON BRIGHT ANGEL TRAIL

Each year, thousands of hikers enter the Grand Canyon on the Bright Angel
Trail. They follow a route established by prehistoric people for two key reasons:
water and access. Water emerges from
springs at Indian Garden, and a fault creates a break in the cliffs, providing access to the springs.