Popular Orange County park closed after mountain lion stalks, charges mountain bikers

A popular wilderness spot in Southern California was temporarily closed down on Tuesday after a mountain lion was filmed stalking mountain bikers down a trail.

“Out of an abundance of caution, Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park will be closed until further notice due to recent mountain lion activity,” Orange County Parks officials stated on social media. Officials told KTLA on Wednesday that there was no estimated time of reopening.

A video obtained by KTLA captured the frightening moment, in which at least two mountain bikers found themselves being trailed by a large and dangerous cat.

“Go away!” one biker was heard shouting at the mountain lion, which, at the start of the video, was peeking out from behind the vegetation while the bikers steadily backed down the trail.

The pair appeared to be about 20-30 feet away from the wild animal when it climbed down the side of the trail and started trotting toward the bikers.

“This m***********,” a biker says before instructing his trail partner to keep backing away as the cat slows to a walk.

“No! Go away, kitty!” yells his trail partner, who then turns to prayer. “Bring your angels to surround us, Lord, and protect us in Jesus’ name. Ah!” Her prayer is cut off by the mountain lion, again kicking up into a trot, heading right toward them.

The cycle continues again as the mountain lion goes from trotting to walking, all the while staring directly at the pair backing away, while the one biker continues to pray for their safety. At one point, the animal even appears to slightly cock its head to the side, as if curious.

Then, just when the bikers appear to have made it the farthest distance from the cat since the start of the video, the mountain lion breaks out into a run — straight toward them.

The bikers shout, and the camera shakes, only capturing a snippet of how close the mountain lion got to the videographer before bounding off the trail again. The footage ends shortly after, and no injuries were reported as a result.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the park remained closed “due to mountain lion activity,” according to the county’s website. 

OC Parks officials were not able to specify whether the closure was in place to allow for the mountain lion to leave or if there were any wildlife safety enforcement efforts taking place. However, on social media, officials said staff were working with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and UC Davis Wildlife Health Center biologists to investigate the situation.

Click here to check for updates on the park’s status.