Woman Stumbles Upon Majestic Animal In The Mountains While Hiking

Denise Peterson was hiking through the Utah backcountry when she discovered something that took her breath away.
A gorgeous young mountain lion was sunbathing on a rock across a ravine, staring out over the vast area.
“She was sitting out in the open on the hillside looking down into the valley,” Peterson told The Dodo.

Source: Denise M. Peterson

Peterson, the founder of Utah Mountain Lion Conservation, thought she'd discovered something special.
"It's very unusual to witness them in the wild," Peterson commented about the event on Facebook. "I treasure every opportunity to see one of them."

Source: Denise M. Peterson

Peterson got a better look of the lion by using a spotting scope she had on hand. Peterson watched the majestic animal go about her day from a distance for the next three and a half hours. She observed the lion sunbathing and practicing her hunting abilities. Peterson felt she was waiting for her mother to return since she was a younger cat.
While this is the tenth mountain lion Peterson has seen in the wild, the experience was just as beautiful — especially given how much time she had to observe her. “I was absolutely elated,” Peterson said. “Most sightings are quite brief, so it was nice to have some time with her.”

Source: Denise M. Peterson

Peterson also remarked on how quietly the lion coexisted with hikers and runners racing up and down a nearby path, most of whom were unaware of the presence of the massive animal. Many people think these enormous cats are frightening, but Peterson knows that is not the case.
“There are a lot of misconceptions about [mountain lions], and it is often thought that they are aggressive,” Peterson said. “Mountain lions, however, are very conflict averse and will typically run when they feel threatened.”

Source: Denise M. Peterson

Peterson was pleased to have had such a beautiful afternoon with her and was thrilled to tell others about it as she watched the little cat travel farther into the mountains and ultimately out of sight.
“Watching her inspired me to share the experience with others, as so few people will ever get to see one in the wild,” Peterson said. “It was a good opportunity to share a positive experience with a wild cat that is typically so misunderstood.”

Source: National Park Service

Mountain lions, also known as cougars, pumas, panthers, and catamounts, are huge cat species endemic to the Americas. Mountain lions are large, tan cats. Mountain lions' typical body size varies greatly depending on geographic location, with the smallest being closer to the equator and the largest being closer to the poles. Males typically weigh between 115 and 220 pounds (52 and 100 kilograms), while females range between 64 and 141 pounds (29 and 64 kilograms). The mountain lion has the longest range of any living animal in the Americas, stretching from the Canadian Yukon to the Strait of Magellan. Typically they prey on deer, but also feed on smaller animals, even insects, when necessary. Like all cats, mountain lions are strict carnivores, and they only rarely consume vegetation.
If you enjoyed this article, please consider pressing Like and sharing it. Follow our website for more exciting animal news like this.