Mountain Lion Closes Orange County Park After Stalking Mountain Bikers

Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park Closure

• ⚠️ Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park in Lake Forest, Orange County, has been closed until further notice due to a close encounter with a mountain lion.
• 📹 Footage captured cyclists in Orange County coming face-to-face with a mountain lion on a hiking trail.

Mountain Lion Behavior and Statistics

• 🔬 Scientists from UC Davis Wildlife Center identified the animal as a juvenile mountain lion.
• 💡 Its behavior is believed to be related to curiosity rather than aggression.
• 📉 Mountain lion attacks on humans are rare, with fewer than 50 verified attacks in California since 1890, including 6 fatal cases.

Safety Recommendations for Encounters

• 🚫 If you see a mountain lion, do not run; instead, hold your ground and make a lot of noise.
• ✋ Wave your arms to try and look bigger.
• 🚴 The mountain bikers in the footage reportedly did everything right, keeping their bicycles between themselves and the big cat.
• 👥 Park visitors are advised to hike, bike, or jog with others, stay in groups, keep children close, and never leave them unattended.