Utah Hiker’s Narrow Escape from Mountain Lion Captured on Video
In a heart-stopping encounter, Utah hiker Kyle Burgess faced an intense standoff with a mountain lion while on a familiar trail. Burgess, who set out for a routine evening walk on the Slate Canyon Trail, initially mistook the lion’s cubs for bobcats. Upon realizing the danger as the mother appeared, he captured the ensuing six-minute pursuit on his phone.
The video shows the mountain lion exhibiting aggressive behavior – baring its claws and lunging at Burgess – as he walked backward, ensuring he didn’t lose sight of the path or the animal. Experts note that such defensive actions by a mountain lion are typical when they perceive a threat to their cubs.
During the intense encounter, Burgess employed several tactics to deter the mountain lion. Notably, he used his voice as a tool for self-defense, loudly screaming phrases like “Go away!” and “No!” to intimidate the animal. This method of using assertive verbal commands is often recommended by wildlife experts, as it helps in establishing a human’s dominance without resorting to physical confrontation. The effectiveness of such tactics was apparent in Burgess’s case, as his vocal assertiveness played a crucial role in persuading the mountain lion to keep its distance and not attack. Throwing some rocks at the mama eventually had her back down and retreat.
Mountain lions, known for their ferocity, are especially protective when accompanied by their young. Burgess’ response, emphasizing his size, making loud noises, and maintaining direct eye contact, is recommended by wildlife experts in such encounters.
This incident serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of understanding and respecting wildlife, especially in areas where mountain lions are prevalent. Hikers are advised to hike in groups, make noise while trekking, and keep children close. In the rare event of encountering a mountain lion, maintain eye contact, appear as large as possible, and speak loudly and firmly. Back away slowly, but do not turn your back or run, as this can trigger the animal’s predatory instincts.
Mountain lions typically inhabit the western United States, including the foothills and mountains of Utah, one of the most visited US states. Their presence in these areas, while not commonly leading to human encounters, requires awareness and preparedness from outdoor enthusiasts.
But mountain lions, also commonly referred to as cougars, are not exclusive to Utah. These majestic yet formidable creatures are also found in neighboring states, including Idaho and California, where they roam the vast wilderness areas. In California, the mountain lion population is significant, inhabiting the state’s diverse ecosystems from coastal mountains to inland deserts.
Similarly, Idaho’s rugged terrain and expansive wilderness areas provide an ideal habitat for these solitary predators. Both states emphasize the importance of public education on coexisting safely with mountain lions, given their widespread presence.
Burgess’ encounter ended without injury, with the mountain lion eventually retreating. He considers himself fortunate to have escaped unharmed and plans to share this harrowing experience as a cautionary tale for years to come.
His encounter with the mountain lion serves as a vital reminder of the unpredictability of wildlife and the importance of being prepared for any situation when venturing into areas known for cougar activity. His experience highlights the need for awareness and respect for these animals’ natural behaviors, especially in regions like Utah, Idaho, and California, where human encounters with wildlife are not uncommon. The incident also underscores the value of educational efforts by state wildlife agencies in teaching the public about living in harmony with native predators and ensuring safe experiences in natural environments.
@animalia.adventureland_6 A hiker in Utah finds himself in quite a predicament as he's stalked by a mountain lion. Kyle Burgess set out for an evening stroll on a trail he'd walked many times before when he stumbled across what he thought were some young kittens. He pulls out his phone to take photographs when he notices the mother lurking behind them. What happened next is what you see in the video. He was pursued for over 6 minutes by the mountain lion, all the while it displayed typical threat behaviour, baring its claws and at one point lunging at Kyle when he turned to ensure he was still walking in the right direction. Mountain lions are ferocious at the best of times, but encountering a mother with cubs while you're walking alone is a recipe for getting messed up. Kyle did the right thing by emphasising his size and being loud and aggressive while keeping his eyes forward. Thankfully the mother gave up in the end and Kyle lives to hike another day. I'm sure he'll be telling this story to his future grandkids for years to come. #mountainlion #stalk #hunting #utah #utahwildlife #kyle #planetdiscovery #animalonearth #animalplanet #naturelife #wildanimals #wildnature #naturevideo #animalmoment #wildlifeplanet #amazingmoments #usa🇺🇸 ♬ original sound – Animalia Adventureland
We are Mary and Eric, the founders of Be Right Back, a blog dedicated to romance around the globe and at home.
We are Mary and Eric, the founders of Be Right Back, a blog dedicated to romance around the globe and at home. With over 10 years of experience in dating and traveling to romantic places, we share our favorite date ideas and romantic destinations to help couples level up their relationships. Having lived in and traveled through the USA, we also share our favourite things to do in the States.
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