9/4/2012
Presentation: Mountain Lion Tips for Law Enforcement
On Saturday, September 22nd, MLF Field Volunteer Robin Parks will give a presentation about mountain lions. Robin will discuss basic lion biology and behavior, but the majority of his talk will offer information specifically for law enforcement personnel and other outdoor professionals who are often the first responders to public safety-related encounters.
Spotting a mountain lion (a.k.a. cougar, puma, panther, catamount, etc.) out in the wild would be a rare or, perhaps more likely, completely unique experience for most of us. This fabled top-of-the-line predator is all cat: graceful, agile, strong, and stealthy. And as much as we admire these feline traits in that dear tabby that rubs up against our leg every morning, the serious thought of a wild mountain lion possibly lurking somewhere down the trail is another thing altogether. Sure, we'd love to see a mountain lion, but we'd prefer it to be on our own terms and from a decidedly safe distance.
This presentation will cover:
Hosted by the Animal Rescue Team, Inc. at Ranch & Reata Roadhouse
Saturday, September 22
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
3569 Sagunto St, Santa Ynez, CA 93460
About Mr. Robin Parks
San Diego resident Robin Parks retired from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) in 2004 after a 25-year career in federal law enforcement. A lifelong admirer of the great cats, he began doing volunteer work at animal sanctuaries in California and elsewhere in 1999, when he first encountered captive mountain lions. This later led him to the Mountain Lion Foundation (MLF) where he has been a field volunteer on several projects. He now is very much involved in reaching out to law enforcement agencies, who are often the first responders to cougar incidents.
Spotting a mountain lion (a.k.a. cougar, puma, panther, catamount, etc.) out in the wild would be a rare or, perhaps more likely, completely unique experience for most of us. This fabled top-of-the-line predator is all cat: graceful, agile, strong, and stealthy. And as much as we admire these feline traits in that dear tabby that rubs up against our leg every morning, the serious thought of a wild mountain lion possibly lurking somewhere down the trail is another thing altogether. Sure, we'd love to see a mountain lion, but we'd prefer it to be on our own terms and from a decidedly safe distance.
This presentation will cover:
- basic cougar biology
- general safety tips
- common myths & misinformation
- public safety issues
- shoot/don't shoot considerations for law enforcement officers
- evidence that killing a lion simply because it has wandered into a city is rarely necessary and is often the wrong decision
Hosted by the Animal Rescue Team, Inc. at Ranch & Reata Roadhouse
Saturday, September 22
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
3569 Sagunto St, Santa Ynez, CA 93460
About Mr. Robin Parks
San Diego resident Robin Parks retired from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) in 2004 after a 25-year career in federal law enforcement. A lifelong admirer of the great cats, he began doing volunteer work at animal sanctuaries in California and elsewhere in 1999, when he first encountered captive mountain lions. This later led him to the Mountain Lion Foundation (MLF) where he has been a field volunteer on several projects. He now is very much involved in reaching out to law enforcement agencies, who are often the first responders to cougar incidents.
