Whiting Ranch Closed Due To Mountain Lion Activity

LAKE FOREST, CA — Orange County Parks officials have closed Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park after recent mountain lion activity, officials say.

The park will be closed until Friday, June 5.

The Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park is nearly 2,500 acres in size, according to the county. It consists of riparian and oak woodland canyons, rolling grassy hills and steep slopes. It is also home to the mountain lion, a native animal of this area.

Members of the public and staff of Orange County Parks reported multiple sightings of mountain lions in the area in late May.

The closure is "out of an abundance of caution," Patch was told.

Thus far, there have been no attacks or injuries due to the mountain lions.

Orange County Parks Rangers and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife game wardens are investigating the sightings.

Best known ways to avoid mountain lion attacks:

There has been very little research on how to avoid mountain lion attacks. But mountain lion attacks that have occurred are being analyzed in the hope that some crucial questions can be answered. Following are safety tips and information provided by the California Department of Fish and Game. For further, more detailed, information click on Living With California Mountain Lions.

Do Not Hike Alone: Go in groups, with adults supervising children.

Keep Children Close To You: Observations of captured wild mountain lions reveal that the animals seem especially drawn to children. Keep children within your sight at all times.

Do Not Approach a Lion: Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation. Give them a way to escape.

Do Not Run From a Lion: Running may stimulate a mountain lion's instinct to chase. Instead, stand and face the animal. Make eye contact. If you have small children with you, pick them up, if possible, so they don't panic and run. Although it may be awkward, pick them up without bending over or turning away from the mountain lion.

Do Not Crouch Down or Bend Over: A person squatting or bending over looks a lot like a four-legged prey animal.

Do All You Can To Appear Larger: Raise your arms. Open your jacket if you are wearing one.

Fight Back If Attacked: Throw stones, branches, or whatever you can reach without crouching or turning your back. Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly in a loud voice. The idea is to convince the mountain lion that you are not prey and that you may be a danger to it.

Immediately Report All Encounters or Sightings.