A female hiker has been found dead on a remote trail in Colorado in what is being treated as a suspected mountain lion attack, authorities have confirmed. If verified, this would mark the first fatal attack by a mountain lion in the region for over 25 years.
Discovery and Immediate Response
The woman's body was discovered by a group of fellow hikers at approximately 12:15pm on Thursday. The grim find was made on a trail in a remote area, with the hikers reporting they saw a mountain lion near the victim, who was lying on the ground about 100 yards away.
The group acted quickly, scaring the animal away by throwing rocks at it. One member of the hiking party, a physician, checked the woman for signs of life but was unable to find a pulse.
Extensive Search and Public Safety Measures
An immediate and large-scale response was launched involving officers from Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), the Larimer County Sheriff's Office, Estes Park police, and Glen Haven Area Volunteer firefighters. Their mission was to locate any mountain lions in the vicinity.
Using sniffer dogs, the teams tracked down two lions. In the interest of public safety, both animals were euthanised, CPW stated. It remains unclear whether one or multiple animals were involved in the suspected attack.
Rarity of Such Attacks and Ongoing Investigation
Kara Van Hoose, a spokesperson for CPW, addressed reporters, noting that while signs were consistent with a mountain lion attack, the cause of death could not be definitively confirmed at the scene. She added that it is believed the victim was hiking alone at the time.
Attacks on humans by mountain lions in Colorado are exceptionally rare. Since 1990, CPW has recorded only 28 incidents, with the last fatal attack occurring in 1999. The Larimer County Coroner's Office will formally release the identity of the victim and the official cause of death.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife continues to investigate the tragic event as a suspected lion attack while reminding the public of the uncommon but present risks in wilderness areas.
