Key Takeaways:
- A woman was killed in a suspected mountain lion attack while hiking alone in the mountains of northern Colorado.
- The attack is believed to be the first fatal mountain lion attack in the state in over 25 years.
- Two mountain lions were located and fatally shot in the area after the attack.
- Mountain lion attacks are rare, and Colorado’s last suspected fatal attack was in 1999.
- The animals are common in the forested area where the attack occurred, but attacks on humans are extremely rare.
Introduction to the Incident
A tragic incident occurred in the mountains of northern Colorado on Thursday, resulting in the death of a woman who was hiking alone. The suspected cause of death is a mountain lion attack, which would be the first fatal attack by one of these predators in the state in over 25 years. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, and authorities are working to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack. According to Kara Van Hoose with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, wildlife officers located two mountain lions in the area and fatally shot the animals.
The Attack and Response
The attack occurred in the mountains south of the small community of Glen Haven, about 7 miles northeast of Estes Park, which is considered the gateway to the eastern entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park. The woman’s body was found by two hikers who were on a remote section of the Crosier Mountain trail, which is located on a national forest. The hikers encountered a mountain lion near the woman’s body and threw rocks at the animal to scare it away so they could try to help the woman. One of the hikers, a physician, attended to the victim but did not find a pulse. The details of the woman’s injuries and cause of death have not been released, and the search for other mountain lions in the area is ongoing.
Mountain Lion Habitat and Behavior
The area where the attack occurred is known to have a significant mountain lion population, and sightings of the animals are common in the forested area. However, attacks on humans are extremely rare. Van Hoose noted that this is a common time of year for mountain lion sightings and reports, especially in Larimer County, where the attack occurred. The trails in this area are in remote land, with wooded and rocky terrain, elevation gains, and dips, making it ideal habitat for mountain lions. The animals, also known as cougars, catamounts, and other names, can weigh up to 130 pounds and grow to more than six feet long, and primarily feed on deer.
History of Mountain Lion Attacks
Mountain lion attacks are rare, and Colorado’s last suspected fatal attack was in 1999, when a 3-year-old was killed. Two years before that, a 10-year-old boy was killed by a lion and dragged away while hiking with family members in Rocky Mountain National Park. Last year, in Northern California, two brothers were stalked and then attacked by a lion that they tried to fight off, resulting in the death of one of the brothers. These incidents highlight the importance of being aware of one’s surroundings when hiking or exploring areas known to have mountain lion populations.
Conservation and Management
Colorado has an estimated 3,800-4,400 mountain lions, which are classified as a big game species in the state and can be hunted. The animals play a crucial role in maintaining the ecosystem, and conservation efforts are in place to manage the population and minimize conflicts with humans. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting wildlife and taking necessary precautions when exploring areas with known mountain lion populations. As the investigation into the attack continues, authorities will work to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and take steps to prevent similar attacks in the future.