Mountain Lion at Whiting

I've seen a juvenile at the power plant at Malibu Creek State Park a couple of times. Always in fleeting, once right after I rounded a corner and almost ran across its path. My closest look at it, it look like it was 60 pounds. Approximately the same size as my year old Lab.

 

Just wanted everybody to know that I rode Serrano around 530 and the rangers were removing the signs, so all the trails are open again!

 

[h=1]VIDEO, PHOTOS: Meet Whiting Ranch's Captive Cougar[/h]
http://lakeforest-ca.patch.com/articles/meet-the-whiting-ranch-mountain-lion#photo-10689643

 

One thing I can say, regardless of whether or not I would want to encounter that cat on the trails, it's a beautiful creature.. look at him, ears are down a little so he's not stoked to be caged, but he still is sitting with the posture of a king!

 

Quoted for truth... Indeed. Majestic!

 

Cage, not even room to stand or move, let alone run, jump lay under a shady tree in the sun...heartbreaking.

He was just doing and being what he is...

 

I'm not sure why so many are convinced that this is literally a death sentence. The DFG or county folks involved said the cat will be kept in a shelter, hopefully in a suitable environment (albeit smaller and less natural than Whiting). I sure hope the cage in the above pic is temporary and that a good home is found for him. If not, we should be as adamant about protesting the DFG as we are about posting on this thread.

 

If this would have been a potential human child predator or child killer in the bushes at Whiting I wonder if you would be lamenting what type of cage they were in?

dean

 

That's part of the problem. The only place I've seen (or heard of) mountain lions in captivity are places like the little zoo in Irvine Park and the Desert Museum in Tucson. They have small enclosures that the cats pace back and forth through for most of their waking hours. I'd rather see them get put down than end up as the equivalent of carnival attractions.

The only thing this lion is guilty of is being indifferent to humans. That shouldn't be a life sentence.

 

Maybe we should just ban kids from being in the parks, since most parents can't seem to keep control over them anyway. There are so many other dangerous animals in our "wilderness parks": rattlesnakes, coyotes...omg, even a bee sting can be deadly....

And yeah, I am lamenting over the type of cage the mountain lion is in, its not its natural habitat. I think its already been said before.... many people can't handle "nature".

 

I hear the Whiting Mountain Lion has a job now... Nice to see he is gainfully employed...

 

Um, because this is what typically happens. There are a very limited number of places that can handle a mature lion. They need space and care. It ain't cheap. Most places take cubs that can acclimate to captivity better than an adult that's been wild. Even if a place is found, this lion will die in captivity. More likely, I think; is that after some time ( a few weeks or a month or so) they will not find a suitable place to transfer this one to and it will be put down.

 

OMG

10 pager

 

I know just a little bit about where these cats end living their lives. Childhood friends of my husband, Joel and Chemaine have dedicated their lives to caring for wild animals that have been abandoned by the underground market and circus acts and shows, etc and provide care for these animals to live the rest of theirs lives in captivity. They can NOT be returned to the wild, most of the stories are heartbreaking and just outright mind boggling. One of the sweetest lions was a woman's house pet in Diamond Bar for God's sake. 'It got too big and had too much energy to keep at home'????



Interesting story, this facility was featured on ABC Extreme Makeover. They are a non-profit and all proceeds go directly to the animals and can use all the donations you could give.
http://foreverwildexotics.org/

All this 'man-eating, people killing' gossip talk needs to stop, you're are furthering the ignorance of the public. The reason Shark-week is so popular, is to INFORM the public about the truth of these creatures we share this planet with. Do you think twice before playing in the ocean? If an attack happens or a large predator is spotted, that area is closed for a bit then we all move back in. Doesn't necessarily mean the creature has moved on. The 'indifference to humans' Doug mentioned IS part of their behavior - they are the top of their food chain, like a great white.

So if you fear mountain lions and the like, think twice before entreating into 'mountain lion territory' - the sign is permanent at whiting and has been there the whole SHORT time I have been mtb'ing (3-4 yrs). I guarantee if you have spent any time in the Santa Ana's - even the Luge or San Juan, you have been watched by something MUCH larger than a bobcat or coyote. I take precautions, don't walk THERE with small kids and not be in a large group without a walking pole, if I ride solo - look for other solo riders to keep and eye or ride in groups. I know the area I entered and made the choice with my safety, note fully warned...and that is okay. (heck, my riding skill level -or lack thereof - is bad enough to make it dangerous).

When I moved to the edge of San Clemente and lost 2 cats to the coyotes, I didn't declare war on them and demand safety and have them removed from the habitat that my house was built in. What's next - remove the rattlers that like to hide on the side of the trail as you ride by? Several people I know have been bitten and struck at.

Just because this is the internet and you chose to quickly spout your opinion, could you please do some research and give a somewhat balanced or slightly accurate or informed comment that adds constructive conversation?

Let's use some polite common sense folks....#-o

 

Does anyone have any info about a September 4th sighting?!? I was riding the park and noticed the date on the signs changed, and it was on the 4th? did i miss something or is it a typo haha?

 

Wouldn't worry about it.......just go out and ride.

 

Not worried about it at all, i'm simply asking for information regarding it? how did you interpret that from my post?

 

Friend and I just finished a ride at Whiting and when we returned to the trailhead at Ralphs there was a dad and his daughter telling us to not go in since they just spotted a Mountain Lion 100 yards in. He called the police and reported it.

Since it was so close to the entrance, we decided to go in and see if we could spot it from a distance. Sure enough, it was sitting up in a tree right off of the trail (Borrego just past the first spot you hit water) Sorry for the blurry pictures but it was the best I could do with gloves, an iPhone, and not wanting to get too close to it.

 

Thanks for the update! Is there a simpler way to get current trail info like this (Mt lion spotted, or even trail conditions) than just going through all the threads. It'd be cool to have a quick way to see trail info like this. Stay safe!

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