Watching this gave me more anxiety than any horror film, and I'm not a scary movie person. This guy was going on a run in Utah when he came across some baby cougars. Of course, the mom was quick to defend her babies, and proceeded to FOLLOW this guy down the road for SIX MINUTES!
According to the Deseret News,
The 26-year-old from Orem did everything he could think of to ward the mother cougar off. He knew not to turn his back to her. He knew to back away — but not too fast. He cursed, yelled, growled and grunted while she continued to follow him, flashing her teeth at him, her ears pinned, her tail swishing.
“Go! Go! Go!” Burgess yells at her a minute into the video recorded encounter.
Burgess said every time he took his eyes off her or tried to stoop down for a rock to throw at her, the mountain lion lunged at him, hissing. With each pounce, her front paws and claws flared. Her powerful hind legs kicked up dust and gravel.
I cannot even IMAGINE!!!
Officials from the Utah Division of Wildlife have commended Kyle for how he handled the scary situation. According to their website,
What to do if you meet an aggressive cougar
Do not run from a cougar. Running will provoke an instinctive prey response and the cougar may pursue you.
Make yourself look intimidating. Make eye contact with the cougar, which cougars consider a threat. Make yourself look big by opening your jacket, raising your arms and waving them. Speak loud and firm to the cougar.
If you have children, pick them up. Try to pick children up before they panic and run. When you are picking children up, keep eye contact with the cougar and try not to bend over too far or turn your back to the cougar.
If you are attacked, fight back! Protect your head and neck, as the neck is the target for the cougar. If the cougar thinks it is not likely to win its fight with you quickly, it will probably give up and leave.