Game officers found and killed a mountain lion Sunday afternoon that stalked a hiker and his dog in a popular recreation area in the Santa Rita Mountains south of Tucson.
The hiker was walking with his dog on a trail Saturday near Madera Canyon when he saw that he was being followed by a mountain lion, said Heidi Schewel, a spokeswoman for Coronado National Forest.
It's possible that the lion saw the dog as prey, she said.
As the mountain lion got closer, the hiker "did everything that he was supposed to do" — shouting and making himself look bigger by waving his arms, Schewel said.
When the lion didn't stop, the hiker fired two warning shots into the air with his gun. When the lion kept coming, he shot at it, and this time it ran away.
The hiker didn't know if he hit the lion or not, Schewel said.
People are also reading…
The incident was troubling to Forest Service officials because the lion showed no fear of humans. "It was not acting in a way that normal mountain lions act," Schewel said.
Arizona Game and Fish Department officers were able to find and kill the lion Sunday about 2 p.m., she said.
The officers used dogs to track the lion, which had been lingering around several camping and picnic areas.
They eventually caught the animal near Bog Springs Campground in the Madera Canyon Recreation Area, "too close for comfort," Schewel said.
Because the lion had lost its fear of people and had become "an obvious threat to human safety," officers had little choice but to kill it, Schewel said.
While there is no longer an immediate threat in Madera Canyon, forest officials urge visitors to wild lands to remain cautious and to learn tips on staying safe if they encounter aggressive mountain lions.
SAFETY TIPS
• If you encounter a mountain lion, stay calm and do not run. Slowly back away and keep your eyes on the lion.
• Make yourself look bigger. Raise your arms over your head.
• If the lion becomes aggressive, fight back with whatever you have and stay standing.
• Keep children close and in sight at all times.
• Be aware of your surroundings. Don't use cell phones or listen to music because it reduces your level of awareness.
• Report sightings to Game and Fish at 628-5376.
Source: U.S. Forest Service
Faculty concerned about changes to U of A admissions policy
