DFG News Archive

Testing of Suspect Mountain Lion Confirms Presence of Human Tissue

A mountain lion suspected of killing one person and injuring another along a Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park trail in Orange County last week has tested positive for the presence of human tissue, the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) confirmed today. Although DNA tests are required to match the samples to the two individuals who were attacked, investigators are all but certain that one mountain lion was responsible for both incidents.

"A presumptive test indicates that the unknown material found in the animal's stomach is that of a human," said DFG Wildlife Forensics Specialist Jim Banks. "We will be sending the samples to the Orange County Crime Lab for further analysis. They will perform all the necessary tests on the human samples, while DNA experts Kenneth Levine and Dr. Jeff Rodzen from our lab will analyze all of evidence related to the mountain lion."

DFG's Wildlife Forensic Laboratory pioneered the use of DNA markers for fish and game law enforcement in California. Through the combined expertise of Wildlife Forensic Specialists Jim Banks, Ken Levine, and Dr. Jeff Rodzen, the lab is able to extend its forensics capabilities into several other species, including mountain lion.

A necropsy of the mountain lion reveals that it was a 122-pound male in good nutritional condition. A rabies test was negative. The mountain lion's age is estimated to be three to four years, based on an examination of its teeth in comparison to its body weight. Adult male mountain lions in California typically weigh between 120 and 150 pounds and are about seven to eight feet long, from nose to end of tail. Adult females are smaller-about six to seven feet long and weighing between 65 and 90 pounds.

Evidence retrieved from the mountain lion for forensic analysis includes stomach contents as well as material collected from the paws, face, and mouth. "Tests of the blood taken from the mouth and paws so far have shown only lion blood. However, when it comes to testing on humans, the Orange County Crime Lab is better equipped to process the samples." said Banks. "Samples collected from the clothing of both victims are being sent here to Wildlife DNA experts Levine and Rodzen at DFG Wildlife Forensics Lab, where our specialty is wildlife DNA extraction and analysis. We will compare both sets of samples to the control samples we obtained from the lion."

"The goal of our investigation is to be able to state with 100 percent certainty that we have the animal responsible for both attacks," Banks said.

The results of the human DNA tests are expected to take about two weeks, Banks said.

For more information about living with California mountain lions, visit the DFG Web site at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/lion/index.html.