A Colorado hiker died in a rare suspected mountain lion attack, prompting authorities to euthanize two lions and initiate a search for a third. Officials stress that while such incidents are uncommon, hikers must remain vigilant in wildlife-rich areas.
A woman died in a rare suspected mountain lion attack in Colorado on Thursday, officials confirmed. The incident occurred around 12:15 p.m. on the Crosier Mountain trail in unincorporated Larimer County, according to a news release from Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Hikers reported seeing a mountain lion near a person lying on the ground approximately 100 yards away. The witnesses, including a physician, threw rocks to scare the animal away. The physician later confirmed the woman had no pulse, according to Kara Van Hoose, spokesperson for Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
The victim’s identity and cause of death will be determined by the Larimer County Coroner. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has classified the incident as a suspected mountain lion attack, though officials emphasized that definitive confirmation is pending.
“There were signs that this was consistent with a mountain lion attack but we can’t say for sure,” Van Hoose told reporters. She noted that the woman was likely hiking alone, a factor that increases vulnerability in remote, wooded areas.
Authorities responded with a multi-agency effort, including Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Larimer County Sheriff’s deputies, Estes Park police, and Glen Haven Area Volunteer firefighters. A wildlife biologist conducting aerial deer surveys and houndsmen with scent-tracking dogs assisted in the search.
One mountain lion was located at the scene but fled when officers shot it. It was later tracked and euthanized. A second lion was found nearby and also euthanized, per state policy mandating the removal of any wildlife involved in attacks on humans for public safety.
“It is unknown if one or multiple animals were involved in the suspected attack,” the Colorado Parks and Wildlife release stated. Pathologists will conduct necropsies on the two lions to check for abnormalities, neurological diseases like rabies or avian influenza, and human DNA. If no human DNA is detected, the search for a third lion will continue.
Van Hoose confirmed on Friday that a search was underway for a third lion spotted near the incident area. She noted that mountain lion attacks on humans in Colorado are considered rare, with only 28 reported incidents since 1990. The last fatal attack occurred 27 years ago, in 1999.
The area, described as remote and heavily wooded, is known for its high concentration of wildlife including bears and moose. Van Hoose explained that mountain lions are particularly visible in winter as they follow deer and elk to lower elevations.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife advises hikers to make noise to deter wildlife, hold objects overhead to appear larger, and back away slowly if they encounter a mountain lion. These precautions are especially critical in regions where mountain lions are common.
For hikers, this incident underscores the importance of preparedness. While encounters with mountain lions are statistically rare, the consequences can be fatal. Understanding local wildlife patterns and following safety guidelines can significantly reduce risk.
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