Generally, mountain lions are quiet and elusive. But despite this, humans are encoutering mountain lions more often. Cougars occupy areas with plentiful prey and adequate cover, and humans are increasingly occupying the same types of areas. Mountain subdivisions, urban fringes and open spaces are all likely places to see a mountain lion. Consequently, the number of mountain lion/human encounters has increased. A variety of factors are involved: more people are moving into mountain lion habitat, prey populations may be increasing, mountain lions themselves are increasing because of the cessation of hunting, cougars ranges are expanding because of the increased population, and more people are using hiking and running trails in mountain lion habitat. It also may be affected by an increased awareness of the presence of mountain lions.
Even so, the potential for being killed or injured by a mountain lion is quite low compared to many other natural hazards. There is a far greater risk, for example of being struck by lightning than being attacked by a mountain lion. Records are sketchy, but it is likely that since 1900, cougars have killed no more than about a dozen people in Canada and the U.S.
