Mountain Lion Warnings

Sign warning of active mountain lions in a trail of the Rocky Mountains. 

I found warnings similar to this one in a few trails of Colorado. The Rockies are mountain lion country (population estimate ~4,000 to 6,000). Mountain lions (Puma concolor) are also called puma, cougar, or panther. Life span is ~12 years in the wild. Main food sources: deer and elk. Natural enemies: bears, wolves, and other ML. Solitary animal. Abundant in forests of pinyon and ponderosa pine, juniper, oak brush, and mountain mahogany. More active from dusk to dawn (also travel and hunt in daylight). Good ambushers that often attack from behind. Rules for a lion encounter: stand up, face the animal, and don't run away (keep visual contact). Talk firm and calm. Stop or back up slowly. Appear large and threatening (raise arms, jump on rock or stump). If lion attacks throw stones and branches (without crouching down). Yell (loud sustained noise is more effective). Avoid hiking from dusk to dawn. Likely they will see us before we see them.