Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 2:17 PM
To: pr@andrews.edu
Subject: Students: Cougar sighting
Cougar sighting
According to a recent article in the Herald Palladium, an animal believed to be a cougar has been spotted in the Berrien Springs area, including near the St. Joseph River on the Andrews University campus. Mountain lion sightings and encounters have increased throughout southwest Michigan over the past several years. Although lion attacks are rare, they are possible, as is injury from any wild animal. We offer the following recommendations to increase your safety:
-Avoid walking or biking alone, particularly in remote areas of campus.
-Never approach a mountain lion. Most mountain lions will try to avoid confrontation.
-Always give them a way to escape. Don't run. Stay calm.
-Hold your ground or back away slowly. Face the lion and stand upright.
-Do all you can to appear larger. Grab a stick. Raise your arms.
-If you have small children with you, pick them up.
-If the lion behaves aggressively, wave your arms, shout and throw objects at it.
-If attacked, fight back! (with what? "weapons" are "prohibited"!!!)
The goal is to convince the animal you are not prey and may be dangerous yourself. Generally, mountain lions are calm, quiet and elusive. The chance of being attacked by a mountain lion is quite low compared to may other natural hazards. There is, for example, a far greater risk of being struck by lightning than being attacked by a mountain lion.
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One word: Morons.
