Overview

• On July 3, veteran hiker Cortney Rasura filmed herself standing her ground against a mountain lion on Gridley Trail by maintaining eye contact and shouting commands.
• Her video has gone viral, drawing thousands of views and spotlighting tactics endorsed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the National Park Service.
• Both state and federal agencies have reiterated advice to remain calm, not run, make noise and appear larger if a lion approaches.
• Officials note that California’s 4,000–6,000 mountain lions rarely attack people and that humans are about 1,000 times more likely to be struck by lightning than mauled by a big cat.
• With no new incidents reported, experts urge hikers to follow safety protocols—such as traveling in groups and avoiding dawn or dusk—to reduce wildlife conflicts.