LA Woman Finds Lion Staring Down From Her Avocado Tree: Report

LOS ANGELES, CA — A Woodland Hills woman this week discovered a cat stuck in her avocado tree, but it was no ordinary kitten. The woman found herself staring up into the face of a full-grown puma.

Corinna Bubenheim spotted the big cat in her tree Thursday afternoon when she went into her backyard to discover what had her dogs so worked up, Eyewitness News reported.

"I looked up and I thought, 'It's a opossum, maybe,' Bubenheim told the station. "Then I saw the big claws and its fur and was like, well, it looks like a German Shepherd. But it's probably not a German Shepherd because they don't climb. It turns out it's a mountain lion."

Bubenheim called 911, and the puma eventually sauntered off into a wash adjacent to the neighborhood near Woodlake Avenue and Mariano Street.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife officials monitored the situation and warned against approaching wild animals. The small number of mountain lions living in Los Angeles are famously skittish, avoiding people when possible.

Frequently struck by cars or poisoned by rodenticide, the local mountain population is inbred and faces extinction by 2050, according to one major study.

Officials hope the completion of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing project near Agoura Hills will dramatically improve conditions for the region's sparse mountain lion population. The crossing will span over 10 lanes of the Ventura (101) Freeway in Liberty Canyon when completed and aims to provide a connection between the small population of mountain lions in the Santa Monica Mountains and the larger and genetically diverse populations to the north.

The life and death of the late P-22, jumpstarted local efforts to preserve LA's big cats.

"Mountain lion P-22 was more than just a celebrity cat. He was also a critical part of a long-term research study and a valuable ambassador for the cause of connectivity and for wildlife in the Santa Monica Mountains and beyond," according to a statement from the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. "In the end, he found his way into many Angelenos' hearts and home surveillance camera footage...This animal's life and safe passage to Griffith Park are a testament to both the challenges and the possibilities for wildlife in Los Angeles. He showed us what mountain lions must do to survive in our urban landscape, as he dispersed through it to find a remaining island of habitat."

The California Department of Fish & Wildlife offers these tips for surviving mountain lion encounters:

• Do not hike, bike, or jog alone. Stay alert on trails.
• Avoid hiking or jogging when mountain lions are most active – dawn, dusk, and at night.
• Keep a close watch on small children.
• Off leash dogs on trails are at increased risk of becoming prey for a mountain lion.
• Never approach a mountain lion. Give them an escape route.
• DO NOT RUN. Stay calm. Running may trigger chase, catch and kill response. Do not turn your back. Face the animal, make noise and try to look bigger by waving your arms, or opening your jacket if wearing one; throw rocks or other objects. Pick up small children.
• Do not crouch down or bend over. Squatting puts you in a vulnerable position of appearing much like a 4-legged prey animal.
• Be vocal; however, speak calmly and do not use high-pitched tones or high pitch screams.
• Teach others how to behave during an encounter. Anyone who runs may initiate an attack.
• Carry and know how to use bear spray to deter a mountain lion. Bear spray has been shown to be successful in emergency situations with mountain lions. Have the spray readily accessible. Carry in a holster belt or attach to a mountain bike. Talk to the folks at your local outdoor store. Make sure you know how to properly use bear spray. People have been known to spray their own faces when attempting to use it.
• If a lion attacks, fight back. Research on mountain lion attacks suggests that many potential victims have fought back successfully with rocks, sticks, garden tools, even an ink pen or bare hands. Try to stay on your feet. If knocked down, try to protect head and neck.
• If a mountain lion attacks a person, immediately call 911.
• Report unusual mountain lion behavior to your local CDFW regional office.

SEE ALSO:

• Video Shows Lion Stalked By Larger Lion Before Fatal 405 Crossing
• Famous P-22 Mountain Lion Goes For Walk Deep In The City
• Famous Griffith Park Mountain Lion Shacks Up in Mansion's Crawl Space
• Celebrity Cougar P-22 Receives New Collar,
• Status Update Lion Becomes Instant Legend For Crossing The 405 Freeway
• It's A Girl! Meet LA's Newest Mountain Lion Mountain
• Lion Killed Trying to Cross the Freeway
• P-22 Mountain Lion To Be Featured In Nature Mural In Watts
• Mountain Lion Spotted Prowling LA County Neighborhood
• Mountain Lion Injures Man Who Protected His Dog From An Attack