Colorado hiker dies in suspected mountain lion attack

ohOn Thursday, authorities reported the death of a hiker from an alleged attack by a mountain lion in Colorado.

Authorities identified the woman found dead on a hiking trail in northern Colorado as Annika Lang, 25, of Fort Collins. His death is being investigated as a suspected attack by a mountain lion, marking the first such death in the state in more than two decades. Lang is believed to have been walking alone at the time of the attack.

The attack and the response

Hikers on the Crosier Mountain Trail near Estes Park discovered Lang’s body shortly after noon Thursday. Witnesses reportedly observed a mountain lion “guarding” the body when they arrived at the scene. The hikers threw rocks to scare away the animal before attempting to check the victim’s pulse, but found her already dead.

Following the discovery, state wildlife officials located and euthanized two mountain lions nearby: an adult female and a subadult male. Necropsies will be performed on both animals to analyze human DNA and confirm their participation in the attack.

Investigators are also looking into reports that this specific area of ​​the Crosier Mountain Trail had been the site of multiple aggressive encounters with mountain lions in the weeks leading up to the fatal attack.

Prevalence of fatal puma attacks

Fatal encounters with mountain lions are exceptionally rare in the United States. According to the Mountain Lion Foundation, there have been approximately 30 fatal attacks in North America since 1868. Historical data indicates that fatal attacks occur at a rate of approximately one death every five years in the United States and Canada combined.

In terms of general aggression, confirmed attacks of any kind are rare. Research shows that there are typically only 4 to 6 cougar attacks (most non-fatal) per year in the United States and Canada. Experts note that the mortality rate from puma attacks is approximately 15%, significantly lower than that of other large carnivores.

History of mountain lion attacks in Colorado

This incident marks the first alleged fatal attack by a mountain lion in Colorado in more than 25 years. The last confirmed death in the state occurred in October 1999, when a 3-year-old boy went missing in the Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forest. However, even with this incident, there is some debate as to whether or not the cougar was directly to blame for the death. The boy’s clothes and some bones were not found until 2003.

Before the 1999 incident, a fatal attack occurred in 1997 in Rocky Mountain National Park. Since 1990, Colorado Parks and Wildlife has reported 28 attacks on humans in the state, most of which resulted in only minor injuries. Officials emphasize that while cougars are common in the region’s forested and rocky terrain, they generally avoid humans and attacks remain very unusual.

Puma safety during the hike

Don’t let fear of mountain lions dissuade you from hiking; These types of stories become news because of how rare a fatal attack actually is. However, while mountain lion attacks are rare, officials recommend hikers take specific precautions when traveling to habitat areas. You should avoid walking alone, as traveling in a group significantly reduces the risk of an attack. If you are hiking with children or small dogs, be sure to keep them near the center of the group for safety.

If you encounter a mountain lion, it is essential that you stand your ground. never runsince fleeing can trigger the animal’s predatory instinct to chase you. Instead, look at the animal and back away slowly, maintaining eye contact the entire time; Never turn your back on the lion.

Cougars are adaptable ambush hunters that primarily inhabit rugged, densely vegetated terrain and riparian corridors to secure cover and prey, generally avoiding open spaces. Photo: Eric Kilby

Try to appear larger and more intimidating by raising your arms, opening your jacket, waving trekking poles, or standing on a rock. At the same time, make noise by speaking firmly, shouting, or clapping your hands to indicate that you are a human being and not prey.

In the worst case scenario of a real attack, don’t play dead. Defend yourself aggressively using anything available (rocks, sticks, trekking poles, or your bare hands) and specifically target the animal’s eyes and nose to defend yourself.

a puma photographed in Montana in 2014. Cover image: Elaine Wilson via Wikimedia Commons

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