From Judy Weiser Re: Cougar Sighting on Gambier

I think it's always best to think ahead, rather than being caught by surprise when least expecting it -- and to discuss in advance with kids in a calm but sensible way, rather than perhaps doing the worst thing to provoke it (like running away, which should never be done!)...

There are two listings below which I have combined from pages at eHow.com, at:

http://www.ehow.com/how_4802613_attack-cougar-attack-rattlesnake-bite.html

and

from "WikiHOW", at:

http://www.wikihow.com/Prepare-Kids-for-Cougar-(Mountain-Lion)-Encounters

Judy Weiser

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IF YOU ENCOUNTER A COUGAR:

* Know that they have the uncanny ability to remain out of sight.

If you see a cougar, it means that it has already been stalking you for some time before you ever saw it. It is thinking of you as food, so it is up to you to change its mind.

* Don't run. Flight can trigger the carnivore desire to chase and attack.

* Stand up. Every person should be at their fullest height.

* Face the cougar. A cougar should be faced full on and do not ever turn your back to it.

* Pick children up and place them on your shoulders. This immediately puts the child out of the lower line of sight of the cougar and makes you and the child appear bigger. If you cannot lift the child that high, hold them in your arms. At the very least, have children grab your leg or torso and hold on, crowding around you.

* Avoid having a child move if the child is closest to the cougar.

IMPORTANT: The adult should do ALL of the moving to get the child.

When moving, move slowly and without any jerking.

Sudden movements can trigger the pouncing instinct.

* Get Big! Raise your arms, your jacket, or your backpack over your head to appear larger. Wave your arms over your head to seem threatening. Note: If you are in a group, get together. Children are the most likely targets because of their size.

* IMPORTANT: Whatever you do, do NOT bend down to get something (this seems to contradict the "pick up your child or dog" (??) - the cougar would attack then.

* Yell at the Cougar. Say the loudest, deepest, meanest things that you can think of. If you cannot intimidate the cougar enough to scare it away, it will attack.

* If you are Attacked, fight for your life. Use anything and everything that you have in your arsenal, including a backpack, hiking stick, knife, nearby rock, etc.

Go for the eyes, and don't let it get behind you where it can get the back of your neck

5. Know how to respond to a crouching, staring and/or creeping cougar. Do all of the things mentioned above but get more aggressive:

* Wave clothing around (take off your shirt if you need to, for using this way)

* Throw sticks and stones

* Yell, growl and bellow

* Toss your arms around

* Grin and bare your teeth

* If at all possible, move to a safe location WITHOUT RUNNING OR CROSSING THE COUGAR'S PATH

6. If the worst possible thing happens and the cougar pounces

and attacks a child, this is not a time for restraint.

Attack the cougar with anything to hand, including your bare hands.

Cougars rarely turn on other aggressors as they are focused on their prey. Hit the cougar with tree branches, cameras, walking sticks, cooking equipment, anything you have to hand and aim for its face in particular. It is important to know that many people have survived fighting a cougar attack by fighting back.

7. Leave the area after an attack. A wounded, bleeding child is not safe after an attack. Immediately remove the child from the area and seek help. Adults can return later to collect belongings if needs be.

8. Remember something very, very important:

Cougar attacks are rare in the greater scheme of things Cougars are beautiful animals and being paralyzed by unnecessary fear and hounding an animal just because of the off-chance that it might attack are unhealthy perspectives to hold.

Being prepared is one thing; being paranoid is quite another.

Provided you take the appropriate precautions, know how to react in the rare chance something might happen and you keep a level and reasoned head about chance encounters with cougars, things should work out fine.