by David Torres

   A hungry mountain lion revisited the DiMaio ranch near Gualala and attacked and killed their remaining sheep.  "I had kept my sheep closed in the barn at night since the last attack," said Kathy DiMaio.  "It had been three months and I figured that the danger was over.  I kept their feed close in and had overhead night lights to protect them."

   This time the lion stalked in the early morning hours and was seen running off at about
9:45 a.m.

   "The first sheep was bitten by the neck and dragged down into the trees from the top of the meadow.  The second sheep was dragged and was partially eaten.  Then the lion covered up the kill with forest duff," said DiMaio.

   This ICO arrived within an hour of the latest kill and was given an armed escort to the site.
"I remember what you said about lions in the trees," said DiMaio.  "I'm always looking up now.
I figure we lost about $340 worth of livestock."

   On July 31, possibly the same lion ate nearly half of one of DiMaio's prized sheep.  Gary Johnson of Boonville, a United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Service Specialist, was called in after a permit was issued by Fish and Game, and set traps for the lion but was unsuccessful.  Traps have once more been set for a three day period.

   "This lion might be a little different," said Johnson.  "A lion will hunt all day long and sometimes will wait until stock is let out of the barn in the morning, and in some cases will go into the barn, unlike a coyote, who will not.  The best chance to catch the lion is in the first 24 hours after a kill."

   The scent ran cold for Johnson's dogs.  "There were some neighborhood dogs running loose--they could have chased the lion away," said Johnson.  "It's not uncommon for cats and dogs to be reported missing when a lion is feeding in the area.  It's best not go out walking alone at dusk or the early morning hours, at least have a large dog with you."

   Johnson did find some bear scat along the trail.  (A bear was sighted earlier this year below DiMaio's property, at the mobile home park in Gualala.)

   DiMaio's property lies just 350 yards from the proposed Gualala Elementary School grounds and is adjacent to Moonrise and Gualala Court homes.

   Experts offer this advice for people who encounter a mountain lion:
make noise,
make yourself as appear big as you can, including holding out your jacket,
and slowly back away.

Do not run.

*Independent Coast Observer (ICO), December 10, 2004.  www.mendonoma.com  :  ico@mendonoma.com

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Additional Write Up**

Mountain Lion Snatches Baby Lamb On Ridge

On Sunday morning a mountain lion, most likely the same one who killed two sheep at the DiMaio residence last July and spotted last Monday, returned and took a two week old baby lamb from the DiMaio's barn in Gualala.  The lion, whose recent appearances and kills have been between Gualala Court, Moonrise and Pacific Woods Road, continues to evade local federal trapper Gary Johnson.  "This lion is different," said Johnson last July.

**Independent Coast Observer (ICO), February 18, 2005.

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Additional Write Ups***

Mountain Lion Suspected In Another Attack

The mountain lion that has been active in the Gualala area is suspected in the loss of a goat at the Jim Beale property, at the corner of Pacific woods and Brushy Opening Road.

Leanne Liston said her goat was missing since Saturday night, and she found its body on Tuesday.

She said she also has a sheep, but is keeping it penned close to home, with a radio turned up loud to scare off predators.

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The Fence Post
Letters to the Editor

Living with lions

Editor:
   I'm just a city boy, so if this letter is off base, somebody please write in and educate me.  But after reading about the Mendonoma mountain lion in several recent editions of the ICO, I'm worried.  What's the trapper referred to in the February 18th edition of the ICO got planned for your lion?  Is he going to trap it?  Does he have plans to shoot it?

   I get the feeling that you folks don't know how lucky you are.  The most common wild animals where I live are rats, and the most dangerous predators walk on two legs.  I wonder if you west coasters appreciate your good fortune.  A real live mountain lion lives near Gualala!  You might get to see it one evening!  That's the sighting of a lifetime if you ask me.

   I know it's inconvenient if you have to wait at the bus stop for your kids because you're worried about the lion.  And I admit it's even worse if you're trying to raise sheep.  It's costing you money.  But I still wish I could live where mountain lions prowl.  I'd be willing to make adaptations in my life to coexist.  After all, I'm doing it now, and for reasons that are far less rewarding!

Michael Grinder
Arlington, Virginia