Watch: Hiker feared mountain lion attack after cub screams at her
A hiker in Oregon realized she was “wildly unprepared” when confronted with the prospect of having to defend herself against a mother mountain lion after spotting a cougar cub that screamed at her.
Shaelyn Stevenson, who posts her adventures on TikTok, was exploring the Brice Creek Trailhead and the scenery of the creek when she heard a muffled scream.
“I looked up and saw the cub, the cub saw me and screamed again in my direction,” Stevenson told Storyful. “I sat there in shock for like 10 minutes when I realized it probably meant the mom was close by and knew I was there.
“I was wildly unprepared and had no form of self-defense on me. So I grabbed a large rock since it was better than not having anything.”
Also on FTW Outdoors: Mountain lion goes on the attack in front of hikers (video)
She then did what you are told never to do: She ran back to her car. Fortunately, the momma cougar did not give chase.
The footage doesn’t capture the “really muffled scream,” but it does show the presence of the cougar cub as it passed over a downed tree—clearly an indication that a mother mountain lion was nearby.
A stealthy species, cougars are rarely seen in the wild. They are more likely to see you than for you to see them.
In Oregon, there are an estimated 6,000 mountain lions, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The ODFW states that if you encounter a mountain lion, stay calm and stand your ground, maintain eye contact and do not run, as running triggers a chase response that could lead to an attack. It also states that if in the very unusual event that a cougar attacks, fight back with rocks, sticks, bear or pepper spray, tools or any items available.
“I gotta buy some bear spray,” Stevenson wrote on her TikTok video.
Generic photo of mountain lion courtesy of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Photo of cub courtesy of Shaelyn Stevenson and Storyful.