Woman killed in suspected mountain lion attack
A hiker is believed to have been killed by at least one mountain lion in the US state of Colorado on Wednesday, according to wildlife officials.
If confirmed, it would be the first fatal attack there since 1999.
A group of hikers found the woman’s body on a remote trail and spotted a lion nearby. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Spokesperson Kara Van Hoose said that after scaring the predatory cat, they checked the body and could not find a pulse.
He added that it was not known whether one or more animals were involved in the attack. After an extensive search, two mountain lions were euthanized and researchers are currently working on them for traces of human DNA.
Hikers threw rocks at the mountain lion to try to drive it away, Ms. Van Hoose said at a news conference. CPW officers responded to the scene and shot the escaping lion. They then tracked him down to euthanize him.
A second lion was found in the area and euthanized.
If none of the lions appear guilty, the search for a possible attacker will continue. Under CPW rules, wild animals that kill a human must be euthanized for public safety reasons.
According to Ms. Van Hoose, the woman’s body showed signs of a mountain lion attack.
Ms Van Hoose told the BBC the local sheriff had notified her next of kin and would later reveal her identity. It is believed that he was walking alone.
Crosier Mountain Road is north of Denver, near the Wyoming border and near Rocky Mountain National Park. Ms. Van Hoose said it could be considered a secluded spot, adding that hikers often lose cell phone signals.
The Larimer County sheriff, police from the nearby city of Estes Park and volunteer firefighters are assisting in the search.
According to CPW, a biologist surveying the area for a moose by helicopter assisted in the search for the animal and transportation personnel. Meanwhile, bloodhounds were bringing in dogs to track scents, which Ms. Van Hoose said was often an effective way to locate mountain lions.
Both fatal and nonfatal mountain lion attacks are rare in the state; CPW has recorded a total of 28 attacks since 1990.
Mountain lions, also called cougars, pumas, catamounts or panthers, can be found throughout North America, but are now found mostly in 15 western states, according to the Mountain Lion Foundation. According to the foundation, these are mostly solitary animals and spend most of their time hunting.
