The news reports of the effects of catastrophic climate conditions continue to bring increasing awareness of events that cause unpredictable animal and human behavior. They may include more sightings of various wildlife making lengthy treks, far from their roaming range both intrastate and interstate. Intense spikes in temperatures, drought and wildfires are affecting all sections of the country this summer. Whether it be for a temporary relocation due to the most recent natural disaster or a move to an area that has always sat atop one’s bucket list, the good life continues to beckon. So many people believe their “dream place” still exists that beach locations remain the number one place vacationers flock to throughout the year.
Social media sparked its own type of news-wildfire recently when a cougar was spotted on the top of Haystack Rock off the coast of Oregon. It was a perfect storm for a new type of wildlife weather story to develop. In a state that continues to have mild beach weather, this sudden sighting was particularly disturbing to visitors. Apparently, the tsunami warnings, regular rock falls and landslide-damaged parts of the coastline road that lead to hidden beaches have stopped few people. Speculation about this mountain lion’s sudden appearance close to a crowded beach began a social media bonfire that sparked quickly.
A close friend and resident now living in the Pacific Northwest was first to issue this report during a weekly Zoom session. She emailed her family and friends an updated beach report, as she expressed her wish that this particular mountain lion would not mar her own family’s upcoming annual family get-together. While it might be assumed that the coastal Cascade mountains will continue to be home territory for these wildcats, no one should be surprised if members of their family, pumas, are spotted on beaches up and down this coastal location.
Most beach visitors seemed to view this as a photo-op, with little worry that their children and pets might come to harm. When the singular cat turned tail and was last seen following his own trail down and off the rock, the sighting became yesterday’s news. No one seemed to know how he happened to escape their view, speculating that he concluded his one-time visit by leaping to shore and traipsing his way further down the beach.
This part of Colorado has a great number of mountain lions. Every year some news reports tell of an individual predator popping up where members of their species have not been seen for years, but these reports continue to be infrequent. Forty years ago, in the early 1980s, a wolverine was sighted crossing the border between Northern Colorado and Wyoming. It caused quite a stir. Not long after this the credibility of a reported grizzly bear seen roaming the mountains of Southern Colorado was once again refuted.
The predictions of continued scorching temperatures and the increased reports of a few disastrous wildlife encounters may cause a rise in aggressive reactions. Sudden flare-ups of temper have been part and parcel of our daily lives for quite a while now. No sweat.
By Dolly Viscardi | Special to the Herald Times
