On Feb. 12, three of the nation’s leading experts on mountain lions gave a workshop for journalists at the invitation of Science for Colorado Wildlife. The renowned experts were:

• • Jim Williams — longtime Montana Fish & Wildlife biologist and author of Path of the Puma

• • Byron Weckworth, PhD — Chief Conservation & Advocacy Officer, Mountain Lion Foundation

• • Mark Elbroch, PhD — Director for Panthera’s Puma Program

We learned a lot. Among the lessons we knew already is that mountain lions are dangerous to humans of pets in only rare cases. 

One notable finding is that there is no evidence that recreational hunting reduces risks to humans or livestock. And there is some evidence that high hunting pressure may increase conflicts by removing stable adult cats and creating territorial vacancies filled by inexperienced dispersers.

Here are more key points:

Takeaway messages

1. Attacks are extraordinarily rare — statistically negligible relative to other outdoor risks.
2. Most reported “conflicts” are simply sightings, not threats.
3. Young dispersers are the lions most likely involved in incidents.
4. Sport hunting does not improve safety and may worsen conflict.
5. Human development patterns (WUI expansion) are the leading drivers of encounter risk.
6. Language matters; reporting should distinguish:
   • “Sightings”
   • “Confirmed sightings”
   • “Depredations”
   • “Human safety incidents” (very few)
7. Journalists have an opportunity to contextualize risk accurately rather than amplify fear.
8. Bear spray is the best tool for hikers.
9. Deer presence = lion presence — the ecological linkage is key for coverage.

Notable quotes:

“A bear or a lion… they’re at the very bottom of risks out there. Cold water, lightning, getting lost – far more dangerous.” — Jim Williams

“If you see deer, there are probably mountain lions. You will not see a mountain lion unless it wants to be seen.” — Byron Weckworth

“Mountain lions don’t scream. Those ‘woman screaming’ tales — that’s raccoons, owls, foxes, or fishers.” — Mark Elbroch, addressing the myth that mountain lions ‘scream’

Mountain Lion Basics

• Mountain lions (also called pumas or cougars) historically ranged from Canada to Patagonia; they still occupy more North/South American habitat than any other mammal except humans.
• In North America, current estimates range from 20,000–40,000, but experts stress this is only a guesstimate due to their secretive nature.
• Densities remain extremely low: often 1–2 adults per 100 km², even in prime habitat.
• Lions are ambush predators, feeding primarily on deer (60–90% of diet).

Behavior & Ecology

• Lions hunt using stealth, short bursts of power, and cover — not long pursuits.
• A single deer can feed a lion for 3–7 days, reducing the frequency of hunting.
• They are crepuscular (active dawn/dusk) and risk‑averse: injury means starvation.
• GPS data show they move near development at night and withdraw before humans are active.

Reproduction

• Females give birth every 18–24 months; litters of 1–4 kittens (avg. 2–3).
• Juvenile mortality is high (≈30%+).
• Populations change gradually, not explosively. Sudden “population booms” are biologically implausible.

Conflict Dynamics

• Most “conflicts” are sightings, not safety incidents.
• In Washington state’s 2025–26 dataset, there were 1,467 reports, but only 25 (1.7%) were human‑safety related.
• Depredation occurs mainly in backyards and hobby farms, not large ranches.
• Conflict is most common where deer, people and small livestock overlap in the wildland–urban interface (WUI).

Hunting and Safety

• There is no evidence that recreational hunting reduces attacks, livestock losses or conflicts.
• Some evidence suggests high hunting pressure may increase conflicts by removing stable adult cats and creating territorial vacancies filled by inexperienced dispersers.
• Targeted removal of a specific offending animal can reduce localized depredation.

Public Safety Realities

• Mountain lion attacks remain extremely rare—only ~30 fatalities in 100+ years across North America.

Signs of Lion Presence

• If deer are present, lions are likely present.
• Scrapes (small piles of debris scratched by hind feet) are more reliable than scat as signs of lions.
• Birds (robins, jays, magpies) and coyotes may vocalize around nearby lions.

Safety Tips for Hikers

• Carry bear spray — highly effective on mountain lions.
• Keep pets close and leashed.
• Never run from a lion; maintain eye contact; appear larger; use loud, firm voice.

Suggested Framing Guidelines for Reporting

General Framing

Use phrasing that reflects rarity and ecological context:

Preferred:

• “Mountain lion encounters are rare and attacks are extremely uncommon.”
• “Lions are naturally risk‑averse and avoid humans.”
• “Experts emphasize that sightings do not indicate population increases.”

✘ Strive to Avoid:

• Sensational framing like “stalking,” “prowling neighborhoods,” or “exploding populations.”
• Implying that one verified sighting = population growth.

 

When Reporting on Attacks

Preferred:

• “This incident is highly unusual, according to experts.”
• “State wildlife officials prioritize public and responder safety in such events.”
• “Young, inexperienced lions are more commonly involved, but data remain limited.”

✘ Avoid:

• Attributing motive (“lion targeted the victim”)
• Suggesting predictability (“the lion was lying in wait”)
• Extrapolating a single incident into a trend

 

When Describing Wildlife Management

Preferred:

• “Research shows no evidence that sport hunting reduces conflicts.”
• “Targeted removal of a specific offending animal can reduce livestock depredation.”

✘ Avoid:

• “Hunting mountain lions makes communities safer” (not supported by evidence)
• “Lions are overpopulated” (densities are naturally low)

When Reporting Sightings

Preferred:

• “Wildlife officials confirmed a sighting.”
• “Most sightings are not associated with safety risks.”
• “Seeing deer in residential areas often means lions may also be present.”

✘ Avoid:

• Treating all sightings as “encounters”
• Describing common behaviors (e.g., moving through area at night) as “abnormal”

Language to Use Around Conflict

Preferred:

• “Depredation of backyard livestock”
• “Wildland–urban interface”
• “Overlap of deer, people, and small livestock”

✘ Avoid:

• “Attacks on pets” as a blanket phrase — specify if evidence exists
• “Aggressive lion” (behavior is usually exploratory or opportunistic)