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September 17, 2004
Man uses shovel to fight off mountain lion
Associated Press
SHERIDAN -- A Big Horn man armed only with his shovel fended off a charging mountain lion.
The man was attacked Wednesday afternoon while working in a horse pasture behind his home near Little Goose Creek, the Game and Fish Department said.
The man, whose identity was not released, struck the mountain lion with his shovel and shouted for help. A neighbor, Jim Nealey, came to his aid, then ran home to bring back his hounds.
Game and Fish agents responded as well, and one of the dogs found the lion hiding in some brush. The lion leaped from the brush and climbed a tree, where it was shot and killed by a Game and Fish biologist, according to a news release.
The 2- to 3-year-old, 94-pound male lion appeared in good physical condition, the department said. Samples taken from the lion will be sent to the State Veterinary Laboratory in Laramie.
Game and Fish agents recommend that if you see a mountain lion, do not approach it. Also, don't run because that can trigger the cat's instinct to chase. Back away slowly and make yourself look bigger by opening your jacket or raising your arms.
If the lion attacks, fight back with rocks or sticks and kick or punch.
"As in the past, if a mountain lion is sighted in a municipal area, our No. 1 concern in dealing with the situation is human safety," Sheridan region Game and Fish spokesman Warren Mischke said. "The chance of a human-mountain lion interaction is always remote and decreases if we follow these simple rules."
The agency offers a free publication on mountain lion biology and living in lion country.
Man uses shovel to fight off mountain lion
Associated Press
SHERIDAN -- A Big Horn man armed only with his shovel fended off a charging mountain lion.
The man was attacked Wednesday afternoon while working in a horse pasture behind his home near Little Goose Creek, the Game and Fish Department said.
The man, whose identity was not released, struck the mountain lion with his shovel and shouted for help. A neighbor, Jim Nealey, came to his aid, then ran home to bring back his hounds.
Game and Fish agents responded as well, and one of the dogs found the lion hiding in some brush. The lion leaped from the brush and climbed a tree, where it was shot and killed by a Game and Fish biologist, according to a news release.
The 2- to 3-year-old, 94-pound male lion appeared in good physical condition, the department said. Samples taken from the lion will be sent to the State Veterinary Laboratory in Laramie.
Game and Fish agents recommend that if you see a mountain lion, do not approach it. Also, don't run because that can trigger the cat's instinct to chase. Back away slowly and make yourself look bigger by opening your jacket or raising your arms.
If the lion attacks, fight back with rocks or sticks and kick or punch.
"As in the past, if a mountain lion is sighted in a municipal area, our No. 1 concern in dealing with the situation is human safety," Sheridan region Game and Fish spokesman Warren Mischke said. "The chance of a human-mountain lion interaction is always remote and decreases if we follow these simple rules."
The agency offers a free publication on mountain lion biology and living in lion country.
