Fatal Mountain Lion Attack near Estes Park, Colorado

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is investigating a fatal mountain lion attack on the Crosier Mountain trail in Larimer County, near Estes Park and just outside Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Hikers reported seeing a mountain lion near a person lying on the ground from approximately 100 yards away. As they approached, the witnesses scared the lion from the area by throwing rocks at the animal. The hikers then attended to the adult woman victim but did not find a pulse.

CPW officers, Larimer County Sheriff deputies, Estes Park police and Glen Haven Area Volunteer firefighters responded to the area and launched an extensive search for any mountain lions. A CPW biologist who was conducting aerial deer surveys in the county diverted his helicopter to assist. Houndsmen also assisted by using dogs to track the lions.

Officers located one lion near the scene and euthanized it. A short time later, a second mountain lion was found nearby and it was also euthanized. CPW officers and tracking dogs are still looking for a third mountain lion thought to be involved in the attack. According to CPW policies, wildlife involved in attacks on humans must be euthanized to ensure public safety.

CPW 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.

Weeks before this attack, another hiker said he was rushed by a mountain lion while running along the same trail on a dark November morning. That hiker said he threw his phone at the animal while it kept circling behind him and was able to get away after a couple of minutes when he broke a stick off of a log and hit the mountain lion over the head with it. After he reported this incident, officials posted warning signs about mountain lions that were later taken down.

Mountain lion attacks on humans in Colorado are considered to be rare, with 28 previous attacks reported to CPW since 1990. The last fatal attack was in 1999.