Juvenile Mountain Lion Killed By Colorado Runner After Attack

LARIMER COUNTY, CO – A man who was attacked while trail running by a juvenile mountain lion was able to kill it by suffocation, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife agency said.

"The cat bit [the victim's] face and wrist; the victim suffered facial lacerations, wrist injuries and scratches and puncture wounds to his arms, legs and back," CPW said in a statement.

The man was attacked from behind by the mountain lion while running on the West Ridge Trail on Horsetooth Mountain Park the agency said in a press release. The man was able to hike out of the trail and get himself to a hospital, where he was treated, the agency said.

The cat's cause of death was determined by necropsy at the CPW animal health lab.

“Mountain lion attacks are not common in Colorado and it is unfortunate that the lion’s hunting instincts were triggered by the runner,” said Ty Petersburg, area wildlife manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife in a statement. “This could have had a very different outcome.”

The victim of the attack described hearing something behind him on the trail and turned around, CPW said. The lion "lunged at the runner, biting his face and wrist. He was able to fight and break free from the lion, killing the lion in self-defense," the agency said.

Wildlife officers searched the trail area and found the body of a juvenile mountain lion within feet of the runner's possessions.

“The runner did everything he could to save his life. In the event of a lion attack you need to do anything in your power to fight back just as this gentleman did,” said Mark Leslie, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Northeast Region manager in a press release.

Mountain lion attacks on people are rare, with fewer than 20 fatalities in North America in more than 100 years. Since 1990, Colorado has had 16 injuries as a result of mountain lion attacks, and three fatalities, the agency said.

If You Encounter a Mountain Lion

The CPW offers these tips to survive a big-cat attack:

According to the CPW, mountain lions are "generally calm, quiet, and elusive."

"People rarely get more than a brief glimpse of a mountain lion in the wild. Lion attacks on people are rare. Most of the attacks were by young lions, perhaps forced out to hunt on their own and not yet living in established areas. Young lions may key in on easy prey, like pets and small children."

• Go in groups when you walk or hike in mountain lion country, and make plenty of noise to reduce your chances of surprising a lion. A sturdy walking stick is a good idea; it can be used to ward off a lion. Make sure children are close to you and within your sight at all times. Talk with children about lions and teach them what to do if they meet one.
• Do not approach a lion, especially one that is feeding or with kittens. Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation. Give them a way to escape.
• Stay calm when you come upon a lion. Talk calmly and firmly to it. Move slowly.
• 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. What you want to do is 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. People have fought back with rocks, sticks, caps or jackets, garden tools and their bare hands successfully. Remain standing or try to get back up!

Find out more at the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Website.

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