URGENT UPDATE: A Colorado woman has tragically been mauled to death by a mountain lion on New Year’s Day, marking the first fatal attack since 1999, according to officials from Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). The victim, whose identity has not yet been released, was discovered around 12:15 p.m. on the Crosier Mountain trail in unincorporated Larimer County.
Witnesses alerted authorities after seeing a mountain lion near the woman, who was lying on the ground. As they approached, they managed to scare the lion away by throwing rocks. Unfortunately, their attempts came too late; upon arrival, firefighters confirmed the woman had no pulse. In response, responders shot at the mountain lion, which had fled the scene. It was later tracked down and euthanized. A second mountain lion was found nearby and also euthanized, although it remains unclear if either of the animals was directly involved in the attack.
CPW policies mandate that any wildlife involved in human attacks must be euthanized to ensure public safety. The woman is believed to have been hiking alone when approached by the predator, and her body exhibited clear signs of a mountain lion attack, reported CPW Spokesperson Kara Van Hoose.
Authorities have confirmed that the woman’s family has been notified, and her identity will be disclosed later. The Larimer County sheriff, police from the nearby city of Estes Park, and volunteer firefighters are actively involved in the investigation. This includes a biologist who was conducting a deer survey via helicopter and community houndsmen who assisted with tracking.
“CPW pathologists will perform a necropsy on the animals to check for abnormalities and diseases,” the CPW statement confirmed. The attack occurred near the Rocky Mountain National Park, an area known for its seclusion, where hikers often lose cell signal.
Mountain lions, also known as pumas or cougars, are primarily solitary and are commonly found in the western United States. While attacks on humans are exceedingly rare in Colorado—with just 28 instances reported since 1990—the last fatal incident was over two decades ago.
Despite the rarity, officials are urging the public to remain vigilant while enjoying the outdoors. “Hikers along the Front Range and in Larimer County should expect to encounter wildlife, especially as mountain lions tend to follow deer and elk to lower elevations in winter,” CPW advised. If spotted, people are encouraged to make noise to scare them away, appear larger, and back away slowly. Additionally, pet owners should keep their animals on a leash and avoid interactions with wildlife.
As investigators work to piece together the events of this tragic incident, the community is left shaken. This devastating attack serves as a sobering reminder of the potential dangers that come with outdoor recreation.
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