Woman dies in mountain lion attack near Estes Park

Two mountain lions have been euthanized in response to a fatal attack of a female hiker in Larimer Country near Estes Park.

During a press conference in Glen Haven Thursday evening, CPW spokesperson Kara Van Hoose said a group of hikers on Crosier Mountain Trail came across a mountain lion near a person on the ground around 12:15 p.m.

The group threw rocks at the animal to scare it off and then went to try to help the woman. One of the people in the hiking group was a physician, who did not find a pulse on the woman, Van Hoose said.

Tracking dogs were brought in to help with the search of the mountain lions.

CPW biologists euthanized two mountain lions that they found close by. Their bodies will be tested during a necropsy to see if they were involved in the attack or if they had any diseases.

“In accordance with CPW policies, any wildlife involved in a human attack must be euthanized to ensure public safety,” she said.

Colorado is home to an estimated 3,800 to 4,400 mountain lions, CPW says.

According to CPW, the agency has documented 28 mountain lion attacks that resulted in injury in the state since 1990. This fatal attack is the second fatal one since 1999 when a 1-year-old boy disappeared, and his remains found three years later suggested a big cat attack.

What to remember if you encounter a mountain lion on your hike:

• Stay calm when you come upon a lion. Talk calmly and firmly to it. Move slowly and never turn your back on it.
• Stop or back away slowly, if you can do it safely. Running may stimulate a lion’s instinct to chase and attack. Face the lion and stand upright.
• Do all you can to appear larger. Raise your arms. Open your jacket if you’re wearing one. If you have small children with you, protect them by picking them up so they won’t panic and run.
• If the lion behaves aggressively, throw stones, branches or whatever you can get your hands on without crouching down or turning your back. Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly. Try to convince the lion you are not prey and that you may in fact be a danger to the lion.
• Fight back if a lion attacks you. Lions have been driven away by prey that fights back.

Learn more about the most recent mountain lion attack and statistics for the state of Colorado.