Colorado officials are investigating the death of a woman who is believed to have been killed by a mountain lion while hiking on a trail in Larimer County on New Year’s Day, authorities said.
Officers with the state agency, with help from local law enforcement and volunteer firefighters, subsequently searched the area for mountain lions. Scent hounds were also brought in to help locate the animals.
CPW said officials were unsure whether one or more animals were behind the suspected attack. However, one mountain lion was found in the area and shot, but managed to flee the scene.
The wounded wild cat and a second mountain lion were later tracked down. Both animals were euthanized in accordance with CPW policies and will be examined for any signs of abnormalities or neurological diseases, such as rabies or the bird flu, officials said.
The Larimer County Coroner’s Office is expected to confirm the woman’s identity and the official cause of death in the coming days. NTD reached out to the medical examiner for more information but a response was not received by publication time.
CPW noted in its press release that mountain lion attacks in Colorado are very rare. Fewer than 30 have been reported to the agency since 1990, with the last fatal encounter taking place in 1999.
“Along the Front Range and Larimer County, hikers and people enjoying the outdoors should expect to encounter wildlife,” the agency said, adding that mountain lions are often seen during the winter months as they hunt for prey.
“Never approach a feeding mountain lion or one with kittens. Give them an escape route. Speak calmly, move slowly, and avoid running,” the agency said. “Raise your arms, open your jacket, and pick up small children or pets to make yourself appear larger.”
