Key Takeaways
- A solo hiker was killed by a mountain lion on a remote Colorado trail on New Year’s Day
- The incident is not the first mountain lion encounter in the area, with a previous hiker reporting a similar encounter in November
- Wildlife officials have killed two mountain lions in the area and are searching for a third
- Mountain lion attacks on humans are rare, with only 30 confirmed fatalities in North America since 1868
- To reduce the risk of encounters, travel in groups, keep children close, and avoid dawn and dusk when lions are most active
Introduction to the Incident
A solo hiker who was believed to be killed by a mountain lion on a remote Colorado trail on New Year’s Day was not the first person to encounter one of the predators in the area in recent weeks. Gary Messina, a 32-year-old man from nearby Glen Haven, Colorado, reported a similar encounter on November 11, when he was running along the same trail on a dark morning. Messina said that his headlamp caught the gleam of two eyes in the nearby brush, and when he snapped a photo, the mountain lion rushed him.
The Previous Encounter
Messina threw his phone at the animal, kicked dirt, and yelled as the lion kept trying to circle behind him. After a couple of harrowing minutes, he broke a bat-sized stick off a downed log and hit the lion in the head with it, causing the lion to run off. Messina’s encounter was reported to wildlife officials, who posted signs to warn people about the animal along trails in the Crosier Mountain area northeast of Estes Park. However, the signs were later removed. Based on the aggressiveness of the animal that attacked him, Messina suspects that it could be the same one that killed the woman on New Year’s Day.
The Fatal Attack
The woman whose body was found on the same Crosier Mountain trail had "wounds consistent with a mountain lion attack," according to Kara Van Hoose with Colorado Parks and Wildlife. An autopsy is scheduled for next week, and a necropsy will be performed on the two mountain lions that were killed in the area to determine if either or both of them attacked the woman. Wildlife officials are still searching for a third mountain lion that was reported in the area, and nearby trails remain closed while the hunt continues.
Mountain Lion Habitat and Behavior
Mountain lion sightings in the area east of Rocky Mountain National Park are common due to the good habitat it provides for the animals. The area is remote, with thick forests, rocky outcroppings, and lots of elevation changes, making it an ideal location for mountain lions. However, attacks on humans by the animals are rare, and the last suspected fatal encounter in Colorado was in 1999. Mountain lions are classified as a big game species in the state and can be hunted. They primarily eat deer and can weigh up to 130 pounds and grow to more than 6 feet long.
Statistics and Prevention
According to the California-based Mountain Lion Foundation, Thursday’s killing would be the fourth fatal mountain lion attack in North America over the past decade, and the 30th since 1868. Most attacks occur during the day and when humans are active in lion territories, indicating that the animals are not seeking out the victims. To reduce the risk of encounters, travel in groups, keep children close, and avoid dawn and dusk when lions are most active. During an encounter, maintain eye contact with the lion, make yourself appear larger, and back away slowly; don’t run. Byron Weckworth, chief conservation officer for the foundation, said that as more people live, work, and recreate in areas that overlap wildlife habitat, interactions can increase, not because mountain lions are becoming more aggressive, but because overlap is growing.
Conclusion and Precautions
The incident highlights the importance of being aware of one’s surroundings and taking necessary precautions when hiking or biking in areas with mountain lion habitats. While attacks are rare, they can be fatal, and it is essential to know how to respond during an encounter. By following the tips provided by wildlife experts and being mindful of one’s environment, individuals can minimize the risk of encounters and enjoy the outdoors safely. The search for the third mountain lion continues, and the community is advised to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to avoid any further incidents.