\u201cThey\u2019re absolutely gorgeous!\u201d Facebook user Brooke Elizabeth Collett wrote in a comment on the video, \u201cHow lucky to be surrounded by such beauty. I could sit and watch all day. That would be heaven to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Much of California is considered mountain lion country<\/a>, including the Sierra Nevada, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.<\/p>\n Although cougars are typically elusive, they\u2019re powerful predators capable of seriously injuring people and pets alike.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s how to avoid mountain lions \u2014 and what to do if you see one:<\/p>\n According to the Fresno County Sheriff\u2019s Office, the video was shot along Crystal Creek Lane on Wednesday, March 4.<\/p>\n The full-color footage shows the three mountain lions emerging from the trees at the edge of a driveway or private road.<\/p>\n In the video, the three apex predators carefully prowl across the asphalt, pausing to sniff and listen for sound from nearby forest. Two of the cougars then bound into the snow along the edge of the path, while the third hesitates.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Sheriff\u2019s Office encourages you to always be aware of your surroundings,\u201d the agency said in the caption of the video. \u201cAnd remember, it\u2019s the wildlife\u2019s world too, we\u2019re just sharing it with them.\u201d<\/p>\n Shaver Lake is about a 50-mile drive northeast from Fresno.<\/p>\n Social media users react to cougar video<\/p>\n Social media users reacted to the Shaver Lake mountain lion video with a mixture of awe and apprehension, calling it \u201cincredible,\u201d \u201cawesome\u201d and \u201cso beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n Some commenters believe the video shows a mountain lion mother and her two cubs, and that she might be teaching them to hunt.<\/p>\n Several Facebook users joked about wanting to pet the wild animals or attraction them with a call of \u201cHere, kitty, kitty, kitty!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re just looking for cuddles and boops,\u201d Facebook user Dave Johnson wrote..<\/p>\n However, not everyone found the apex predators cute and cuddly.<\/p>\n \u201cOf all the creatures I fear mountain lions the most. … They are stealth hunters,\u201d Facebook user Dolores Pinzon-Caldwell wrote. \u201cYou would never hear them coming even though they have been tracking you when you placed your foot on the trail.\u201d<\/p>\n The animals are \u201cbeauty and danger all at once,\u201d another Facebook user said.<\/p>\n Mountain lions tend to be shy creatures<\/a> that typically avoid humans, the California Fish and Wildlife Department said, and attacks involving mountain lions<\/a> are rare.<\/p>\n There are ways to safely live beside the big cats<\/a>, The San Luis Obispo Tribune previously reported<\/p>\n Mountain lions are most active at night and during dawn and dusk, so it\u2019s a good idea to avoid hiking, biking, jogging or walking alone in open space areas, especially at dawn, dusk, or at night.<\/p>\n Pet owners should keep pets \u2014 especially rabbits, cats and small dogs \u2014 indoors at night.<\/p>\n If you are outdoors when cougars are likely to be active:<\/p>\n Stay in well-lit areas or on established trailsBe alert and go in a group when walking, hiking, biking or joggingKeep a close eye on small children and petsCreate some noise to make sure any nearby mountain lions are aware of your presence<\/p>\n Residents should secure anything that could be a food source, such as garbage cans, bird feeders, compost bins, and pet food left outside to keep wild animals that mountain lions might prey on away from neighborhoods.<\/p>\n You should also \u201cdeer-proof your property to avoid attracting a lion\u2019s main food source,\u201d state wildlife officials said.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also a good idea to remove any dense vegetation around your home or yard where a cougar could hide and install outdoor lighting to make it harder for one to approach without going unnoticed.<\/p>\n Livestock owners should secure any large outdoor pets in sturdy, covered shelters at night.<\/p>\n What to do if you encounter a cougar<\/p>\n If you do spot a mountain lion in your neighborhood or out on a trail, the most important thing is to stay as calm as you possibly can.<\/p>\n Never turn your back on the big cat. Keep eye contact with the creature and slowly back away. Make noise, stand up straight and try to make yourself look as big as possible to scare off the mountain lion.<\/p>\n Other important tips to remember:<\/p>\n Don\u2019t approach a mountain lion, especially if it\u2019s with kittens.\u00a0Don\u2019t run. It could stimulate a mountain lion\u2019s chase instincts.\u00a0Pick up small children so they don\u2019t panic or run away.\u00a0Don\u2019t bend over or crouch down.\u00a0Throw things \u2014 such as rocks or belongings \u2014 at the mountain lion if it continues to move toward you.\u00a0If the mountain lion attacks, fight back using anything around you.\u00a0Report all sightings, encounters or attacks to local park rangers or law enforcement.How to report a mountain lion sighting<\/p>\n If you see a mountain lion and feel immediately threatened, you should call 911.<\/a><\/p>\n After a cougar sighting, you can report the date and location<\/a> of the encounter to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.<\/p>\n That way, the state agency can track and manage mountain lions\u2019 population in the area, he said.<\/p>\n Loading\u2026<\/p>\n This story was originally published March 6, 2026 at 1:16 PM.<\/p>\n Related Stories from Fresno Bee<\/p>\n A trio of mountain lions explore Shaver Lake property in this screenshot from a home surveillance camera. Courtesy of Fresno County Sheriff\u2019s Office What does mountain lion video show?<\/p>\n
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A mountain lion walking in the wilderness. Stock Photo via Getty Images How to avoid mountain lions<\/p>\n
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