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  "description": "Though mountain lions in South Dakota mostly live in the western part of the state and the Black Hills, one was spotted March 18 in downtown Sioux Falls.",
  "path": "/fact-brief-mountain-lion-attacks-humans-south-dakota/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-19T10:00:46.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.sdnewswatch.org",
  "tags": [
    "South Dakota News Watch Quiz - GigafactGigafact",
    "this one.",
    "Frequently Asked Questions",
    "What we know about mountain lion attacks in North America",
    "Officials confirm mountain lion sighting in downtown Sioux Falls",
    "Dangerous wild animals encroaching on South Dakota neighborhoods",
    "Venomous snakes",
    "Your safety in mountain lion habitat",
    "South Dakota News Watch",
    "Gigafact",
    "on the tipline",
    "Donate",
    "Share your thoughts on this story",
    "sdnewswatch.org"
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  "textContent": "## No.\n\nMountain lion attacks on humans are extremely rare. The Mountain Lion Foundation (MLF) reports people are much more likely to be killed by a pet dog or struck by lightning.\n\nThough mountain lions in South Dakota mostly live in the western part of the state and the Black Hills, one was spotted March 18 in downtown Sioux Falls. City officials have reported mountain lions have increasingly been spotted in residential areas, including in Spearfish near two schools.\n\nSouth Dakota News Watch Quiz - GigafactGigafact\n\nThere have been about 30 fatal mountain lion attacks in North America since 1868, while five people die on average per year of snake bites.\n\nIf mountain lions do attack humans, it's likely to be done during the day, in the summer and fall, and in wildlife areas where humans have ventured.\n\nIf you see a mountain lion, stay calm, do not approach, do not run and do not crouch or bend over. Back away slowly.\n\n_This fact brief responds to conversations such as_  this one.\n\n### Sources\n\nThe Mountain Lion Foundation, Frequently Asked Questions\n\nThe Mountain Lion Foundation, What we know about mountain lion attacks in North America\n\nSDPB, Officials confirm mountain lion sighting in downtown Sioux Falls\n\nSouth Dakota News Watch, Dangerous wild animals encroaching on South Dakota neighborhoods\n\nCDC, Venomous snakes\n\nNational Park Service, Your safety in mountain lion habitat\n\n* * *\n\nSouth Dakota News Watch partners with Gigafact to publish fact briefs that refute or confirm a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context. Send questions or feedback to _news@sdnewswatch.org_. Submit a question for us to answer on the tipline.\n\n****Support fact briefs.**** Help us fight misinformation by supporting fact briefs that refute or confirm a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.\n\n\n                            Donate\n                        \n\nShare your thoughts on this story\n\n _**South Dakota News Watch** is an independent nonprofit. Read, donate and subscribe for free at _sdnewswatch.org _.**Contact freelance reporter Michael Klinski:** michael.klinski@sdnewswatch.org._",
  "title": "Fact brief: Are mountain lion attacks on humans common?",
  "updatedAt": "2026-03-19T10:33:06.387Z"
}