Cougar Incidents & Mountain Lion Attacks Animal Expert Comments

History of Mountain Lion Attacks

Are mountain lion attacks on the rise? It appears so but the numbers are smaller than you might think. They may be on the increase because humans are encroaching on the territories of these animals. Urban cougars must adapt and use wildlife corridors to access areas that once were wild.

The current mountain lion population estimate for California is 4,000-6,000 adult cougars. Below you will find a list of incidents related to mountain lions. These creatures are known by many names including cougar, puma, panther, catamount, and more.

Historic Timeline of Reported Cougar Incidents

1890, June. A 7-year-old boy killed by a mountain lion (cougar) in Siskiyou County, California.
1909, July. A rabid mountain lion (cougar) injured a woman and child in Santa Clara County, California. Both died of rabies.
1986, March. A mountain lion (cougar) attacked a 5-year-old girl, in Caspers Regional Park, Orange County, California.
1986, October. A 6-year-old boy receives minor injuries from a mountain lion (cougar) attack.
1988, June. Two mountain lions (cougars) chase three people in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, California. The Game Warden found and shot both mountain lions.
1992, March. Mountain lion attack on a 9-year-old boy in Gaviota State Park, Santa Barbara County, California. 1993, August. A 6-year-old boy was attacked by a mountain lion (cougar) in Los Padres National Forest, Santa Barbara County, California.
1993, September. Young mountain lion bites a 10-year-old girl camping in Paso Picacho Campground in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, California.
1994, January. Three bicyclists disturbed by a mountain lion (cougar) in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, California.
1994, April. Woman killed by a mountain lion (cougar) in the Auburn State Recreation Area, California. 1994, May. A couple with a little boy approached by a mountain lion (cougar) in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, California.
1994, August. Campers in Mendocino County, California, witness a fight between their dog and a rabid female mountain lion. The cougar attacked a female camper, it was jumped and stabbed by the other campers.
1994, December. Female killed by mountain lion (cougar) in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, California.
1995 January. Teenager charged by a mountain lion (cougar) on Volcan Mountain, San Diego County, California. 1995, March. Cyclist injured by a mountain lion (cougar) near Mount Lowe in the Angeles National Forest, California.
1996, January. Woman on horseback approached by a mountain lion (cougar) in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, California.
1997, December. Mountain lion (cougar) charges a group of women and children at Caspers Regional Park in Orange County, California.
1998 August. Woman encounters a mountain lion (cougar) in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, California.
1999. No reported attacks.
2000. No reported attacks.
2001. No reported attacks.
2002, November. Man reports he was attacked by a mountain lion (cougar) in the Diablo Range foothills of Stanislaus County, California.
2003. Stalking mountain lion (cougar) killed near San Juan Capistrano, California.
2004, January. Man killed by a mountain lion (cougar) in Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park in southern Orange County, California. Later the same day a woman is jumped and seriously injured by a mountain lion. It is speculated that it was the same mountain lion. Theories vary as to motivation for the attack.

Mountain Lion Status As Game Animal

1907-1963: Mountain lion is a bountied predator. (Records cover when and where cougars were taken during that period.)
1963-1969: Mountain lion is considered a non-game animal.
1969-1972: Mountain lion is designated as a game animal.
1972: Laws end recreational mountain lion hunting. Depredation permits are issued for lions that kill, injure or threaten livestock and pets.