iStockphoto / Bransen Jackson
Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers are investigating what is believed to be the state’s first deadly mountain lion attack since 1999. It occurred on the Crosier Mountain trail in unincorporated Larimer County and the victim was found around noon on New Year’s Day.
Upon finding the victim, hikers a mountain lion was observed about 100 yards away.
Colorado’s First Suspected Deadly Mountain Lion Attack Since 1999
Once the hikers observed the mountain lion near the victim, they scared it off by throwing rocks at the large cat before checking the victim’s pulse and were were not able to detect a heartbeat.
According to a CPW press release, upon receiving news of the potential deadly mountain lion attack wildlife officers began searching the area for cougars using dogs to track their scent. One was located at the scene of the incident and another was located nearby.
The press release states that it is not known if one or both of the mountain lions were involved in the attack, but both were euthanized “to ensure public safety.” The next step is testing the animal’s remains “for abnormalities and neurological diseases like rabies and avian influenza” as well as the presence of human remains.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife held a press conference to announce the incident, believed to be the first fatal attack since 1999.
It is important to emphasize how rare deadly mountain lion attacks are. There are less than 1 per year on average in North America and this is the first in 26+ years in the state of Colorado.
In total, there have been 28 fatal recorded attacks in North America in the past 100 years.