Authorities in Colorado are investigating a suspected fatal mountain lion attack after a woman was discovered deceased on a remote hiking trail. The incident, which occurred on Thursday, has prompted a significant response from wildlife officials and emergency services.
Discovery and Initial Response
The tragic discovery was made on the Crosier Mountain trail in unincorporated Larimer county. At approximately 12:15pm local time on Thursday, other hikers reported seeing a mountain lion near a person lying on the ground. Acting quickly, the hikers managed to scare the animal away by throwing rocks at it before attending to the woman. Sadly, they were unable to find a pulse.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officers, alongside deputies from the Larimer County Sheriff's Office, Estes Park police, and Glen Haven Area Volunteer firefighters, swiftly responded to the scene. An extensive search for mountain lions in the area was immediately launched.
Wildlife Management and Investigation
During the search, one mountain lion was located at the scene. It was shot by officials and ran from the area. The animal was later found and euthanised in line with CPW policy, which mandates that wildlife involved in attacks on humans must be put down to ensure public safety. A second mountain lion was subsequently discovered nearby and was also euthanised.
In a news release, authorities stated, "It is unknown if one or multiple animals were involved in the suspected attack." Pathologists will now perform necropsies on both animals, checking for abnormalities and neurological diseases such as rabies and avian influenza.
Rarity of Such Attacks
According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, mountain lion attacks on humans in the state are exceedingly rare. Since 1990, only 28 previous attacks have been reported to the agency. The last fatal attack recorded in Colorado occurred in 1999, nearly a quarter of a century ago.
The CPW estimates that the mountain lion population in Colorado is robust, numbering between 3,800 and 4,400 animals. This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers present in wilderness areas, even from creatures that typically avoid human contact.
The investigation into the precise circumstances of the woman's death continues as officials await the results of the post-mortem examinations on the euthanised mountain lions.
