Investigators from Colorado Parks and Wildlife are working to determine whether a woman found dead on the Crosier Mountain Trail in Larimer County was killed by the mountain lion that was spotted near her body.
According to a statement from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, a group of hikers saw a mountain lion near a person lying on the ground from approximately 100 yards away at approximately 12:15pm on New Year’s Day. The hikers approached the scene and threw rocks at the lion to scare it away. The hikers then attended to the adult woman but did not find a pulse.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers, Larimer County Sheriff deputies, Estes Park police and Glen Haven Area Volunteer firefighters responded to the area to launch an extensive search for any mountain lions. A Colorado Parks and Wildlife biologist who was conducting aerial deer surveys in the county was able to assist in spotting and personnel transportation. Houndsmen were brought in and used dogs to track the scent of lions.
Officers located one lion at the scene, shot the animal and it ran from the area. Officers tracked the injured mountain lion and it was euthanized. A second mountain lion was found nearby a short time later and euthanized. It is not known if one or multiple animals were involved in the suspected attack. Colorado Parks and Wildlife policies dictate that wildlife involved in attacks on humans must be euthanized to ensure public safety.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife pathologists will perform a necropsy on the animals, checking for abnormalities and neurological diseases like rabies and avian influenza. Larimer County Coroner will release the identity of the victim and cause of death. The last fatal mountain lion attack in Colorado was in 1999. The have been 28 non-fatal mountain lion attacks in Colorado since 1990.
“Along the Front Range and Larimer County, hikers and people enjoying the outdoors should expect to encounter wildlife. Mountain lions are more visible in winter as they follow deer and elk to lower elevations. If lions are spotted, make noise to scare them from the area, hold objects overhead to appear bigger and start backing away from the animal. Pets should be kept on-leash and not interact with wildlife.” -Colorado Parks and Wildlife
images from USFS
