Mountain lion attacks on horses suspected Mountain lion attacks on horses suspected (May 05, 2004)

By Jonas Raab
Special to the Almanac

A 24-year-old horse appeared to have been attacked by a mountain lion near Alpine Road east of Interstate 280 on April 23 at about 1 p.m., according to the California Department of Fish and Game.

The owner of the facility where the horse lived -- located in the 3100 block of Alpine Road -- called the state wildlife agency when he saw the horse's injuries, Fish and Game Patrol Lieutenant Dennis Baldwin told the Almanac.

Both Fish and Game and an independent veterinarian examined the horse and concluded that the type and location of the superficial wounds were consistent with a mountain lion attack. The horse is expected to make a complete recovery, Lt. Baldwin said.

A second incident of a horse showing similar wounds that could have been caused by a mountain lion was also reported on May 1, on Stanford University land just east of Interstate 280.

The mountain lion has not been found or seen by anyone. Wardens from Fish and Game searched the area in vain for tracks.

The Alpine Road horse's owner declined the issue of a permit that would allow Fish and Game to pursue the animal, Lt. Baldwin said. The agency pursues lions considered threats to public safety, meaning those that attack people or make multiple attacks in a localized area, said Lt. Baldwin.

Mountain lions normally hunt from just before sunset to right after dawn, so this attack was somewhat unusual, Lt. Baldwin said. "We have been seeing a higher incidence of daytime attacks recently and we are not completely sure why," he said. "About three weeks ago, we had reliable reports of a sighting in downtown Santa Cruz."

The best thing to do when confronted with an overly curious lion is to make a lot of noise and look as large as possible by raising the arms, Lt. Baldwin said, but he cautioned residents against crouching or doing anything that will make one appear small or vulnerable. Above all, do not run away, he said, as it may trigger the lion's instinct to chase.

For more information on what to do when facing a mountain lion, go to www.dfg.ca.gov/lion.

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