Hiker believed killed by mountain lion in Colorado; two cougars euthanised

A hiker is believed to have been killed by at least one mountain lion on a remote Colorado trail on Wednesday, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officials said. If confirmed, it would be the first fatal mountain lion attack in the state since 1999. A group of hikers found the woman’s body on the Crosier Mountain Trail north of Denver and spotted a lion nearby.

The hikers threw rocks to drive the animal off and found no pulse, CPW spokesperson Kara Van Hoose said. It is not yet known whether one or multiple animals were involved. After an extensive search, officers euthanised two mountain lions found in the area. Investigators are testing the animals for human DNA and will continue searching if neither proves to be the attacker.

Under CPW rules, wildlife that kills a person must be euthanised for public safety. The Larimer County sheriff’s office has notified the woman’s next of kin; her identity will be released later. She is believed to have been hiking alone on a trail that can be secluded and lose cellphone signal.

Local law enforcement, volunteer firefighters, a biologist conducting a deer survey by helicopter and houndsmen assisting with scent tracking all took part in the response, CPW said. Mountain lion attacks are rare in Colorado; CPW records show 28 such incidents since 1990.

Key Topics

World, United States, Colorado, Mountain Lion, Wildlife, Hiking, Parks And Wildlife