"An Orange County park was temporarily shut down Tuesday after two people reported mountain lion sightings the day before. In one of the incidents, a pair of cyclists filmed a mountain lion following them along a cliffside trail, behavior that wildlife officials described as unusual. Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park will be closed until further notice "out of an abundance of caution," OC Parks said in a statement."
"Parks staff are working with researchers from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and biologists at UC Davis' Wildlife Health Center to better understand the mountain lion's behavior, Danielle Kennedy, public information officer with OC Parks, said in an email. They plan to place cameras around the park to track the animal's activity and look for evidence such as fresh tracks and scat, she said."
"The video posted to Facebook on Monday shows the mountain lion emerging from the brush to follow the cyclists along the trail, which was flanked by a steep hill on one side and a steep drop-off on the other. The cougar continues advancing as the cyclists shout for it to get back. At one point, it pauses and watches them back away, then seemingly charges, jumping to the side of the trail just before it reaches them."
Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park was closed until further notice after two mountain lion sightings prompted safety concerns. One video shows a mountain lion emerging from brush and following cyclists along a narrow trail flanked by a steep hill and a steep drop-off. The cougar advanced as cyclists shouted, paused while watching them retreat, then appeared to charge and jumped to the side of the trail before reaching them. Parks staff are working with California Department of Fish and Wildlife researchers and UC Davis Wildlife Health Center biologists. Cameras will be placed and investigators will search for fresh tracks and scat. The animal's motivation is unclear. Pumas typically avoid people and human attacks are extremely rare.
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