Tom Stienstra at the Chron has an interesting account of the encounter between two brothers and a couple of mountain lions in Pescadero Creek County Park, “a remote, lightly visited open space with no facilities”.
Residents in the vicinity of Loma Mar and La Honda have been warned. The was also another lion sighting just north of the park, but it’s not clear if it was one of the lions sighted Sunday.
They hiked on Camp Pomponio Road, which goes through middle of park, and about 10 minutes in, wandered a few hundred yards off the trail, Foy said.
Near a creek, in a clearing at the edge of a densely vegetated area, a mountain lion emerged and walked right up to one of the hikers.
“The hiker shouted aggressively, but the lion did not go away,” Foy said. “So he picked up a big stick and swung at the lion. His brother came to his side and a second lion started closing in.”
Foy said the hiker never struck either cougar but eventually “managed to drive off the lions.”
The hikers then started to return to their car, but looked back and saw the lions were following them. “You could see them the whole time,” one told game wardens. [...]
Although mountain lion attacks are rare, they have become more numerous in the past couple of decades. According to Fish and Game records, all but three of the confirmed attacks on people in California since 1890 have happened in the past 25 years.
The increase coincided with state voters’ approval of a 1990 initiative designating mountain lions as a protected species, even though they were not threatened or endangered. The lions filled existing habitat and then expanded their range, at the same time the human population was moving farther into previously open space.



Pacifica examines widening part of Hwy 1 to six lanes, Mar 15 9:28am, Barry Parr — That particular stretch of Hwy 1 is particularly unpleasant and potentially dangerous for pedestrians, including the patrons of the businesses on the east side of the highway. Widening the highway will exacerbate the problem. This will only seem ...
Seton resident's work on display in show at State Capitol, Mar 15 7:40am, Suzanne Black — Fabulous image! There’s no age or mobility limit on talent and creativity. Mr. Moses has the right idea: “It’s important to me to remain busy and productive regardless of where I happen to call home,” said Moses. “I hope others will also ...
Sam's Chowder House Hosts Fundraiser Supporting the Big Wave Project, Mar 14 11:27am, Barry Parr — I’ve added the flyer for the event to Dave’s post. Dave had emailed to me when he posted the letter, but I was unable to post until now. If Sam’s or Big Wave had sent me the flyer, I would have been happy to run it. I don’t support Big Wave, but ...
Princeton Seafood Co. on board with “Hats Off to Teachers”, Mar 14 9:40am, Cindi Whittemore — Just want to let all teachers know, Ink Spell Books continues to appreciate you by continuing to offer 20% off all book teachers purchase. ...
The Coast needs your help, Part 2, Mar 14 8:52am, Sabrina Brennan — Please FAX Assembly Member Juan Arambula Fax: 916-319-2131. Assembly Members Arambula and Skinner have different fax numbers! A hearing is scheduled for this Tuesday or Wednesday. The Coast is under attack and this time, if the proposal to ...
Sam's Chowder House Hosts Fundraiser Supporting the Big Wave Project, Mar 13 8:55am, Amy Tezza — You don’t want BIg Wave to be built and so you disapprove of this fundraiser. Is this the sort of comment you are fishing for? Or we should just send the comments directly to Sam’s? I saw that you gave Sam’s a one star “rating” in Yelp because ...
Pacifica examines widening part of Hwy 1 to six lanes, Mar 12 8:23pm, Carl May — Given the well-known effect of school traffic on traffic congestion from the midcoast through HMB, possible busing in Pacifica would seem worth studying. Vallemar School is a K-8 campus with a good record of achievement, and at least some parents ...