A woman hiking alone in Colorado was killed Thursday in what officials suspect was a rare mountain lion attack, marking the state’s first fatal encounter in over two decades.
Hikers on the Crosier Mountain trail made the grim discovery around 12:15 p.m., spotting a mountain lion lingering near a body about 100 yards away. The group managed to scare the animal off by throwing rocks. One witness, a physician, assessed the victim but could not find a pulse.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) launched an immediate search of the remote, wooded area with the help of hound teams and aerial support. Officers tracked and euthanized two mountain lions found nearby. Both animals will undergo necropsies to test for human DNA, as well as diseases like rabies or avian influenza.
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“There were signs that this was consistent with a mountain lion attack but we can’t say for sure,” said CPW spokesperson Kara Van Hoose. She noted that if forensic testing does not link the euthanized lions to the attack, the search will continue. Officers are currently looking for a third lion reported in the vicinity.
Attacks on humans are historically uncommon in the region. According to CPW data, this is the first fatal incident in Colorado since 1999; only 28 attacks have been reported since 1990.
Officials remind hikers that mountain lions are more active at lower elevations during the winter as they follow deer and elk. If encountered, experts advise making loud noises, raising arms to appear larger, and backing away slowly. The coroner has not yet released the victim’s identity.
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