[pct-l] Mountain Lions

[taterno at cox.net (Tom Aterno)]

I thought that I should let everyone know that a woman was killed by a 
mountain lion several years ago (mid 1990s) in San Diego county.  The 
attack occurred on Cuyamaca Peak, which is located just to the west of 
Cuyamaca Lake.  The cougar was killed shortly afterwards.  This cat was 
sick and malnourished, which was believed to have been the cause of 
this unusual attack.  I have lived in San Diego since 1988, and this is 
the only attack I am aware of.  I had never seen a cougar in the wild 
after 17 years of hiking, camping and mountain biking in the San Diego 
wilderness.

I would not worry about cougars.  Heat, water crossings and steep 
snowfields are more of a threat to our health than pretty kitty.

On new years day 2006, I was driving to Desert View overlook at the 
Grand Canyon.  It was just before dawn.  There was a thin layer of snow 
on the road.  Not a cloud in the sky.  Temperature was probably 30 
degrees.  As I turned into the parking lot, a cougar ran across the 
road in front of my car!!!  He was at full sprint.  What a sight, what 
a beautiful animal.  He was gone before I could get my camera turned 
on.  I feel very privileged to have seen him or her.  I also saw two 
elk on way to Desert View.  Mmmm, elk... yummy cougar food.

Tom, KI6ASP