Author Topic: Any Kitty Cat issues near the South Rim (Read 1838 times) Tweet

Infosec · « **on:** June 19, 2012, 12:56:37 PM »

Has anyone had any Kitty Cat (Mountain Lion) issues on your way to the South Rim. I am planning to go for a multi-day during late July/early August, and wanted to know if I need to take any extra precautions (e.g. cat nip)

trtlrock · « **Reply #1 on:** June 19, 2012, 01:23:49 PM »

Quote from: Infosec on June 19, 2012, 12:56:37 PM

wanted to know if I need to take any extra precautions (e.g. cat nip)

Rather than carry any extra weight (us ultralight hikers are known to sneer at that

), I would just slather myself in bacon grease, and then roll around in some dry catnip.

I'm thinking most of that patina will stay in place until (if?

) you can get back & shower off.

alan in shreveport · « **Reply #2 on:** June 19, 2012, 10:31:14 PM »

not sure how current or real it is but the park's daily report says "Due to recent mountain lion activity,
use extra caution in the Chisos Basin;" its been saying that for awhile

TexasAggieHiker · « **Reply #3 on:** June 19, 2012, 10:31:41 PM »

Between everyone here, there have been hundreds and hundreds of trips to the South Rim. VERY VERY few have seen a lion, even less have had a problem. I wouldn't worry about them too much, just be alert.

dkerr24 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 20, 2012, 07:34:27 AM »

Has there been any documented report of someone being attacked by a mountain lion in the Chisos? I think I recall a report of a child being attacked along the Smoky Creek trail, but I'm not sure of that.

Darin

Al · « **Reply #5 on:** June 20, 2012, 08:45:14 AM »

The child was attacked while walking with her parents down a sidewalk at the Lodge.

Al

steelfrog · « **Reply #6 on:** June 20, 2012, 10:10:40 AM »

Two words: Machete.

Infosec · « **Reply #7 on:** June 20, 2012, 11:29:17 AM »

Quote from: steelfrog on June 20, 2012, 10:10:40 AM

Two words: Machete.

I always thought that Machete was phonetically 3 actions, but OK I will buy two words.
I recall the incident happening at the Lodge as well, it does not surprise me as animals looking for a easy meal will go where people leave food and water.

alan in shreveport · « **Reply #8 on:** June 20, 2012, 04:12:54 PM »

The recent incident was near the Lodge , the Basin Store actually , and it was a young boy walking and reportedly holding hands with his mother. That was last winter. A juvenile/adolescent lion was tracked and killed that was believed to be the culprit. The father fought the lion off with a pocket knife and I believe that gave rise to Steelfrog's call to arms with machetes.
It was said that the lion was sick , or starving. I think thats probably true. Unless theres something like that going on you probably won't ever see one.
Still , it couldn't hurt to carry a machete and maybe a can of bear spray.

Voni · « **Reply #9 on:** June 21, 2012, 08:45:17 AM »

From Angie Dean, posted on Facebook June 15th.

Quote

CrazyAngie Dean
A nice shower last night--I had .28 in my rain gauge. Thank you Rain Gods and keep it up! Lots of feet on the ground up in the Basin with the recent mountain lion encounter. No one injured, but this cat appeared to be aggressive in returning to check out the scene and then being beanbagged. Traps have been set, dogs are in the area. This cat reportedly was young and very skinny. A lot of campers have gone from the Basin, not surprising. I hope this cat is trapped soon. I hate it when these encounters occur--it does not bode well for the cat nor for visitors in the area. Parents, keep your kiddos close at hand! People, be aware of your limitations and don't do foolish things!
Like · · Share · 15 June at 09:12 ·

trtlrock · « **Reply #10 on:** June 21, 2012, 08:59:28 AM »

wow -- instant replay from the incident earlier this year -- without the actual attack one hopes...

Always sad to hear "skinny" -- seems very likely this lion will die soon, one way or another.

Infosec · « **Reply #11 on:** June 21, 2012, 11:01:45 AM »

So it appears that the 'skinny' Kitty is still on the loose. I thought that it was reported that he was shot and killed by the Park Rangers.

trtlrock · « **Reply #12 on:** June 21, 2012, 11:21:28 AM »

different skinny kitty...

alan in shreveport · « **Reply #13 on:** June 21, 2012, 02:01:15 PM »

sorry for the confusion , the incident I was talking about was last February. I was not aware of the June incident. The cat in the feb.incident was suposedly killed.

SA Bill · « **Reply #14 on:** June 21, 2012, 08:48:30 PM »

This is the one I remember because it happened about 2 weeks after I had been on the same trail.
Bill

25 May, 1998. Mary Jane Coder of Harlingen, Texas and her three daughters, ages 9, 8 and 6, saw a mountain lion on a large rock while they were hiking on the Pine Canyon Trail in Big Bend National Park, Texas. There are two published versions of what happened.

One account says that Ms. Coder tried to frighten the animal away by yelling, waving her arms and throwing rocks. The lion struck her in the left hand with its paw, and followed the family back down the trail until they reached an open area. Another account says that the lion charged Ms. Coder, and that Ms. Coder advanced toward the lion with a pocket knife. The lion backed off, but then slapped its paw on Ms. Coder hand before leaving.

The attack on Ms. Coder is the third documented mountain lion attack on humans in the park since 1984. (Abilene Reporter-News 5/31/98l 6/9/98)

Wonder about the other 2 attacks...

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