Video: Mountain Lion, Deer in Life or Death Struggle

It’s something that you would expect to see on a nature program, but a handful of joggers were recently startled when, at midday, they came across a battle to the death between a mountain lion and a buck with a full set of antlers. “I was flabbergasted that it was happening at noon--middle of the day,” Nickolas Melville told KPIX.

With those claws and teeth, you may think that the cougar had the clear advantage. But Melville said the deer held its own--with the cross country runner shooting video of the deer dragging the cat and trying to gore it, “Those two were going at it. For awhile, I didn’t know if the mountain lion was going to get killed.”

The incredible encounter happened right next to a popular hiking and jogging trail in Rancho San Antonio County Park, in the western hills above Silicon Valley. “To actually see that happen right next to the trail was a little disconcerting….I was afraid but I felt comfortable in that there were two or three other people there already.”

And disconcerting to Ranger Chris Barresi was the fact that park visitors hung around to watch the struggle, “Although you may be very tempted to pull out your camera and start rolling video of a cat, we would not recommend standing there watching a cat.”

Melville recorded some amazing video, some shown above, as he watched the epic struggle unfold.

In the end, the circle of life closed for the deer, and the mountain lion feasted on its favorite meal. Nature being nature--perhaps a little too close for comfort as we encroach on the wilderness.

“It’s their natural habitat. This is where they live...this is where they eat.”

With a popular trail running right alongside.