Local News Comments

So are they going to keep everything locked up forever? It is not uncommon for cats to be in the area. We live in the mountains, and there are cats all over. They are not prone to bother people (There has only been 16 attacks state wide since 1890).

Keep an eye out sure, but no need to go overboard. Especially since a lion would go right over the top of fences that they have, so not sure how much closing them helps.

Yup, I knew a fellow that used to run and tree lions all around Tuolumne City area. Would keep him and his dogs in shape. Ironic is it not.

If you knew the true facts of why there has not been more attacks, and its now because lions dont see us as prey....they do,especially kids. If the school didnt take action to protect our kids, and something did happen....they would get there pants sued off.

Only 16 attacks in the state since 1890....yeah, sure. No doubt every attack on a human has been identified and reported? I doubt there were any native Americans who were attacked and never reported? And after all, 16 REPORTED and CONFIRMED attacks in 120 years (which averages out to be an attack EVERY 8 years,BTW) is really insignificant, right?....unless, of course, you or your loved one happens to be one of the 16? Regardless, what's more important to the Kaleephonyia libs? Human life or wildlife?...I know, stupid question...Wildlife trumps all!

Stuka, I am assuming you don't have kids that go to Summerville. Because this scared the * out of me. Yeah, a fence may not STOP it, but it may slow it down. Better safe then sorry!!

There are numerous lions all over this county, and likely one near every school east of Tuolumne Road. If this is the correct protocol, then every school should follow it now and every day.

A better solution might be to double the adult presence on the playgrounds after sightings. A lion won't hang around with an adult yelling and chasing them. It's also a shame to rob the kids of the chance to see the big cat. I have only seen two in all the years I've been venturing into forested areas. Just explain to the kids that this isn't the petting type of kitty, and let them enjoy life a little. Locking them up every time wildlife passes through Tuolumne County is just not feasible.

mountainman,if cougars saw "kids" as prey, there would be thousands of bodies to show for it. Care to back up your statement? I hate it when people use "the children" in emotional attempts to make political statements.

well said Hammertime...the gov. kills a pretty significant number of lions every year that are deemed a Public threat....but people dont hear about that.If the State didnt have to pay a large amount of $$$ with every fatality,I could see this Lib State no killing Public Threat cats anymore,then we will see what the numbers do!!

All you folks that dont seem to think a lion is a threat,let me ask you....would you see no problem in letting a grammar school aged kid walk around Charter Way Stockton after say 10:00 PM?Why not?I am sure there are lots of "good",people there too.Would you see no issue with letting those same kids go out in the wilderness for two three days/nights,by themselves...why not?It is NOT normal for any predator to HANG around people.Lord I am glad our forefathers had the common sense that has been bred out of some people!

Rider,yes I do care to back up my statements from over 20 years working with Mt.Lions and seeing there habits with my own eyes,not what I read from some Biased Website.Lions are more prone to prey on small children,than an adult if given the opportunity....that is fact.Dont believe me? Call F&G

Google are mountain lions more prone to attack children
the first five state exactly what I said

You put your child in a car every day, look at the numbers there. Hello.

mm, yes, of the small number attacks many have been children. What you are doing is demonizing them to justify a sport hunt. Last time I explained why sport "trophy" hunting doesn't reduce the risk of attack. If this cat is killed for being "seen" by a human "near" a building called a school, it will in fact result in several juvenile cats (those involved in the majority of attacks) moving in to that territory, increasing the tiny attack risk.
Why play on parents' emotions? Why don't you come after me for not creating a major scene because I saw a bear on my property (imagine that, it crossed HUMAN BOUNDARIES). I moved here TO be near nature, and for those who didn't, I again suggest Modesto, just an hour down the hill.

I said it before and I will say it again: If a lion is on my property and I can get to my gun, it will be a dead lion. Mountain Lions have two missions in life: Eat and reproduce. I dont think they hang around people for the latter.

Bears are more likely to attack children, adults are more prone to attack children, more kids are hit by cars than adults, so maybe we should start killing off bears, adults and get rid of cars too. You want to talk about common sense, here's some for you, YOU LIVE IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD!! There are very few attacks from lions on any human, mainly because they DON'T see humans as threats normally. The very few times a lion has been sighted near humans it's because it's sick, hurt, or is too weak to hunt it's normal prey. Just like raccoons go for the easy food in your garbage, same with bears... Common sense says you can't lock kids inside 100% of the time, life is a risk, you can take steps to mitigate, but you can't overprotect, otherwise how do they learn?

I've had a couple of rather intimate encounters with mountain lions here in Northern California, while out hiking, and the first 3 encounters were while under the age of 14. If you teach kids what they look like, and that they are dangerous, and what to do if they see one, their chances of nothing happening goes up pretty darn high. Every time I've seen one, I just made myself look as big as possible, yelled and made as much noise as I could, and they quickly left. Living in an area where they are common, such as Amador, Calaveras and Tuolumne counties, you have to understand that they are there, were there first, and that we have to live with them, just like they live with us. If we start killing them off, just because they came near, how long till there are none left?

I have also observed mountain lions around our ranch property for many years. Usually they are solitary individuals, hunt nocturnally and looking for the easy kill - meaning they avoid activity, groups of people and dogs. On rare occasion we have also encountered young, hungry males who will hunt during the day and likely looking for territory to call their own. Yes, generalizations can be made but the school is acting responsibly in taking precautions and probably legally mandated to do so.

Its a Mountain lion, sheesh, its not the predator creature from the movies hunting down innocent children for food and sport. it's probly hunting all the stinkin feral cats around Tuolumne,(I can hope!) I have been Bow hunting & hiking and backpacking in the woods all my life, I sleep alone for days at a time, I take my kids out with me. I have seen bears and big cats & NEVER had a issue. while yes they can kill a child or adult they typically stay away from people. Im sick of people freaking out about a bear or a mountain lion being seen. they are everywhere people! I agree with rider, yes be alert and be smart but to go freak out lock all the doors and shoot the animals just because you see them in your neighborhood ,...gimmie a break people!

Killing native wildlife is not the answer. What animal is depicted on our State flag...the grizzly bear. How many are in Cal now, none.

Toulumne county has become a joke with our city bred and raised idiots??? WE have "attack deer", "attack coons" oh and the best "attack squirrels", whats next? Attack snakes or spiders!!!! GO BACK TO THE BAY

I believe Mr Adkins used good judgement. It made the parents feel better. The children that may have been afraid that the cat might get them felt better and by keeping the gates closed he kept the cat from just wandering onto campus. He didn't freak, He didn't panic and call for the slaughter of all mountain lions. He used clear calm judgement and made some wise decisions. I'm sure he knows he can't keep the children locked inside every day and has no intention of doing that. Good Job Mr Adkins :-)

The people of Tuolumne County are always in more danger of being bitten and mauled to death by DOG than any wild mountain lion.
2011 had 16 Dog Bite Deaths and for 2012 there are now 31 Fatal Dog Attacks this year.
The odds of being attacked by yours or your neighbors DOG are excellent compared to cougar attacks.


Read the PIT BULL info here;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fatal_dog_attacks_in_the_United_States

Mountain Lions are part of this area. They have never caused a problem before , they have been here all along . They are quaint and secretive creatures. Leave them alone and let them be for darns sake. You want to talk about a real danger what about the deer that we "ALL" risk hitting and sliding threw are windshield and killing us! Thank You!!

The risk to humans (even children) from mountain lions is extremely low. This big guy was just crossing through to get to a better watering hole or hunting ground. It is mating season for the deer and he has plenty of them hanging around not to have to resort to nasty humans. Humans in group are never ever in danger from a big cat, kids on campus are an extremely large group and believe it or not, would scare the heck out of this beast. Rest assure your children are safe, you'all are way over thinking this.