Key Takeaways:
- A woman was killed in a suspected mountain lion attack while hiking alone in northern Colorado, marking the first fatal attack in the state in over 25 years.
- Wildlife officers located and killed two mountain lions in the area, and a necropsy will determine if either animal was involved in the attack.
- A search for a third mountain lion reported in the area is ongoing, and trails remain closed until the animal is found.
- Mountain lion attacks are rare, with the last suspected fatal attack in Colorado occurring in 1999.
- The animals are common in the forested area where the attack occurred, but there have been no recent documented attacks on humans.
Introduction to the Incident
A woman was killed in a suspected mountain lion attack while hiking alone in the mountains of northern Colorado on Thursday, in what would be the first fatal attack by one of the predators in the state in more than 25 years, authorities said. The attack occurred in the mountains south of the small community of Glen Haven, about 7 miles northeast of Estes Park and considered the gateway to the eastern entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park. The incident has sparked a search for the mountain lion, with wildlife officers working to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Response to the Attack
Wildlife officers later in the day located two mountain lions in the area and fatally shot the animals, said Kara Van Hoose with Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The officers were able to track down the animals after two hikers encountered a mountain lion near the woman’s body along a remote section of the Crosier Mountain trail. The hikers threw rocks at the animal to scare it from the immediate area so they could try to help the woman, Van Hoose said. One of the hikers was a physician who attended to the victim and did not find a pulse, she said. A necropsy will determine if either or both of the killed mountain lions were involved in the attack.
Investigation and Search
Details on the woman’s injuries and cause of death were not immediately released. Wildlife officials are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack, and a search for a third mountain lion reported in the area is ongoing. Trails in the area remained closed while the hunt for the animal continued. Van Hoose said circumstances would dictate whether the third mountain lion is killed if it is found. The search for the mountain lion is a top priority, and wildlife officials are working to ensure public safety in the area.
Mountain Lion Habitat and Behavior
Sightings of mountain lions are common in the forested area where the suspected attack occurred, but there have not been any recent documented attacks on humans, Van Hoose said. The area is considered good mountain lion habitat, with wooded and rocky terrain, elevation gains, and dips. Gary Messina, a 32-year-old man from nearby Glen Haven, reported a similar encounter with a mountain lion in the same area last year. Messina said he was running along the same trail on a dark November morning when his headlamp caught the gleam of two eyes in the nearby brush. He was able to fight off the animal by throwing his phone at it, kicking dirt, and yelling, and eventually hitting it in the head with a stick.
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, two brothers were stalked and then attacked by a lion in Northern California, resulting in the death of one of the brothers. The animals, also known as cougars, catamounts, and other names, can weigh 130 pounds and grow to more than six feet long. They eat primarily deer, and Colorado has an estimated 3,800-4,400 of the animals, which are classified as a big game species in the state and can be hunted.
Conclusion and Precautions
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of being aware of one’s surroundings while hiking in areas where mountain lions are present. While attacks are rare, it is essential to take precautions, such as hiking in groups, making noise while hiking, and staying on designated trails. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife department provides guidelines and resources for hiking in mountain lion country, and it is crucial to follow these guidelines to minimize the risk of an encounter. By being aware of the risks and taking necessary precautions, hikers can enjoy the beautiful scenery and wildlife of the Rocky Mountains while staying safe.