‘So scary coming face to face’
It’s hard to leave behind a nice, peaceful bike ride to clear your mind, but for one cyclist, a pleasant afternoon ride was interrupted by a heart-stopping encounter with a wandering mountain lion.
What’s going on?
TikToker Trevor Shor (@trevorshor) went cycling with his dad on a series of trails in Newbury Park, California.
Although the sun is shining, the afternoons are almost a total nightmare.
Shor was able to film a mountain lion emerging from the bush just feet away from the bike path.
“I saw him dart out of the bushes, he noticed us, froze and locked eyes with me. He stayed there for about 30 seconds and eventually started walking down the road,” Shor wrote.
“Finally he went off the road again and ran into the hills.”
Why is this mountain lion sighting concerning?
As one user observed in the comments section, one strange detail about the mountain lion immediately stood out: The animal appeared to have a collar around its neck.
“This collar means he is being followed for research,” they wrote.
“It’s very nice. But it’s still very scary to face it face to face,” Shor replied.
Although it’s unclear how long or by whom the mountain lion had been tracked, the species’ presence was not unheard of in Southern California.
But the mountain lion population in California is not as strong as most people think.
In 2024, Los Angeles Times reported that there were several thousand fewer mountain lions in the state than previously thought.
A study conducted by researchers from the California Mountain Lion Project estimated that there are between 3,200 and 4,500 mountain lions; this was a far cry from the original estimate of 6,000.
What is being done about mountain lion encounters?
Although the estimated population is smaller, mountain lion sightings are still quite common in rural California.
But as human activities expand into mountain lions’ natural habitats, the species may be forced from its territory in search of food and seclusion.
In early 2025, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office released the following: Facebook after a number of mountain lion sightings were reported in the area. The post offered many helpful tips to stay safe.
“If you see a mountain lion, especially one feeding or breeding, keep your distance. Most mountain lions prefer to avoid confrontation,” the episode began.
“If you encounter a mountain lion, do not run. Instead, face the animal, make noise and try to appear larger.”
Mountain lions are a vital species that helps sustain life ecosystem health By controlling their prey such as deer and elk, preventing overgrazing of plants, and protecting important waterways.
Californians can more effectively promote biodiversity in the region by ensuring the health and safety of the mountain lion population.
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