An article revealing the statistics behind cougar attacks has just been published in Antrozoos.
The effects of human age, group composition, and behavior on the likelihood of being injured by attacking pumas seems to contradict the standard response to the threat of a cougar attack.
Some of the cougar study statistics were previously revealed in the book, Cougar Attacks (2004) by Kathy Eling.
For instance, some of the statistics revealed from cougar attacks in the book were:
- Percentage of children most likely to be: killed 29% severely injured 56%
- Percentage of adults mostly likely to be: killed 18% severely injured 19%
- Percentage of solitary individuals most likely to be: killed 36% severely injured 55%
- Percentage of group members likely to be: killed 14% severely injured 55%
Ultimately, solitary people were determined to be three times as likely to be attacked or to have an encounter versus people in pairs or larger groups.
Only groups of five or more were found to be less likely to be attacked unless the groups contained children.
Immobility increased the likelihood of death (23%) and severe injury (43%).
The new paper indicated that noise making such as yelling at the cougar is useful.
Is this study definitive?
That is hard to say since each situation is unique and how you deal with a wild animal attack threat would vary with the animal and the situation.
It could be confusing–since the standard advice is to stand your ground.
Prey species that run usually trigger an attack response from a predator but cougars tend to be stealthy and surprise their prey.
The study confirms the fact that hiking in groups is more beneficial from a safety perspective BUT predators will always target the weak and the young even in groups.
More information about cougar attacks can be found in:
Coss, R. G., Fitzhugh, E. L., Schmid-Holmes, S., Kenyon, M. W., & Etling, K. (2009).
The effects of human age, group composition, and behavior on the likelihood of being injured by attacking pumas. Anthrozoös 22, 77-87.
Cougar Attack Tips at Ark Animals
Cougar Attack History & Mountain Lion Attack Statistics at Ark Animals
