There’s nothing like a nice, peaceful bike ride to clear your mind, but for one cyclist, a leisurely afternoon ride was interrupted by a heartbreaking encounter with a roaming mountain lion.
What happened?
TikTok user Trevor Shor (@trevorshor) rides his bike with his father on a set of trails in Newbury Park, California.
Although the sun was shining brightly, their afternoon turned into almost a nightmare.
Shore managed to film a mountain lion emerging from the brush just feet from the bike trail.
“As it jumped out of the bushes, it noticed us, froze, and made eye contact with me. It stayed there for about 30 seconds before finally starting to walk down the trail,” Shore wrote.
“Eventually it ran off the road and into the mountains.”
Why is this mountain lion sighting concerning?
As one user observed in the comments section, one strange detail about the mountain lion immediately stood out: The animal appeared to have a collar around its neck.
“That collar means he is being followed for research,” they wrote.
“It’s cool. But it’s still scary in person,” Shore replied.
While it’s unclear how long the cougars were monitored or by whom, the species’ presence is not unheard of in Southern California.
However, California’s mountain lion population isn’t as strong as many think.
In 2024, the Los Angeles Times reported that there were thousands fewer mountain lions in the state than previously thought.
A study led by researchers with the California Mountain Lion Project estimated the mountain lion population at between 3,200 and 4,500, a far cry from the original estimate of 6,000.
What are we doing about mountain lion encounters?
Despite low estimated numbers, mountain lion sightings remain common in rural areas of California.
But as human activity expands into the cougar’s natural habitat, the species may be forced to leave its territory in search of food and seclusion.
In early 2025, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook a series of reports of mountain lion sightings in the area. This post provides many helpful tips on staying safe.
“If you see a mountain lion, especially one that is feeding or carrying its offspring, keep your distance. Most mountain lions prefer to avoid confrontation,” the department began.
“If you encounter a mountain lion, do not run away. Instead, face the animal, make noise, and try to appear as loud as possible.”
Mountain lions are a keystone species that help maintain healthy ecosystems by controlling prey such as deer and elk, preventing overgrazing of plants, and protecting important waterways.
By ensuring the health and safety of mountain lion populations, Californians can more effectively promote the region’s biodiversity.
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