Hiker Killed in Suspected Mountain Lion Attack, Colorado’s First in Decades
The New York Times••nation
Key Points:
- A woman found dead on a Colorado hiking trail on New Year’s Day is believed to be the state's first fatal mountain lion attack since 1999, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
- Hikers discovered the body on Crosier Mountain with a mountain lion nearby, which they scared off before confirming the woman was dead; authorities subsequently euthanized three mountain lions in the area as part of the investigation.
- Necropsies on the mountain lions and an autopsy on the victim are underway to confirm the cause of death and check for diseases like rabies or bird flu.
- Mountain lion attacks on humans are extremely rare in Colorado despite the animals being widespread, with recent sightings and encounters mostly involving domestic animals, prompting trail warnings in
