Somehow, the rarity of attacks historically isn’t that reassuring. Lions are scary creatures anywhere outside a zoo or a mile away through binoculars.
Cougar alert along parkway
Officials believe three reports near the American River involve just one mountain lion.
By M.S. Enkoji - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PST Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Sacramento County park rangers on Monday reported three sightings of a mountain lion along the American River Parkway since last week.
Beginning on Thursday, a mountain lion was spotted on three different days in areas along the central part of the parkway, said John Havicon, a supervising park ranger with Sacramento County Department of Regional Parks.
Visitors who saw the large cat were in William B. Pond and Hoffman parks and the Harrington access area. None said the animal was aggressive, Havicon said.
"We're tracking whatever we can," said Havicon, who believes the sightings are the same animal.
He said sightings of mountain lions -- also known as cougars -- increase after any high-profile attack, such as one last week on the north coast.
A 70-year-old Fortuna man survived a mountain lion attack Wednesday in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, which sprawls through Del Norte and Humboldt counties. He was transferred Sunday from Arcata to a San Francisco hospital, where he is fighting infection and faces more surgery.
