UPDATE: A woman was tragically mauled to death by a mountain lion on January 1, 2023, in Larimer County, Colorado, marking the first fatal attack by the animal since 1999, according to officials from Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). The woman, whose identity has not yet been disclosed, was discovered around 12:15 p.m. on the Crosier Mountain Trail by a group of hikers.
Witnesses reported seeing a mountain lion near the victim and quickly alerted authorities. “As they approached, the witnesses scared the lion from the area by throwing rocks at the animal,” a statement from CPW revealed. Despite the hikers’ attempts to assist her, they found no pulse. Emergency responders arrived on the scene and located the mountain lion, which fled but was subsequently tracked and euthanized. A second mountain lion was found nearby and was also euthanized, as per CPW policies that mandate the removal of wildlife involved in human attacks.
The circumstances surrounding the attack remain unclear, though preliminary reports indicate that the woman was hiking alone when approached by the lion. Her body displayed clear signs of a mountain lion attack, as confirmed by CPW spokesperson Kara Van Hoose.
Efforts to locate the lion involved extensive assistance from local authorities, including the Larimer County sheriff and police from Estes Park. Volunteers, including a biologist conducting a deer survey via helicopter, joined the search, while houndsmen provided tracking dogs to assist in the investigation.
CPW announced that pathologists would perform necropsies on the euthanized animals to check for any abnormalities or diseases, including rabies. The incident has shocked the community, as mountain lion attacks are exceedingly rare in Colorado, with only 28 recorded incidents since 1990. The last fatal encounter occurred over two decades ago.
The Crosier Mountain Trail, located near the Wyoming border and close to Rocky Mountain National Park, is known for its seclusion, often resulting in poor cell service for hikers. As winter progresses, mountain lions are more visible as they pursue deer and elk down to lower elevations.
CPW urges all outdoor enthusiasts to remain vigilant. “Hikers should expect to encounter wildlife along the Front Range and Larimer County,” the agency cautioned. If a mountain lion is spotted, officials recommend making noise to scare it away, holding objects overhead to appear larger, and backing away slowly. Additionally, pet owners are advised to keep their animals on a leash and prevent any interactions with wildlife.
As the situation develops, authorities continue to investigate the tragic event. The identity of the victim is expected to be released in the coming days, leaving the community in shock as they process this unprecedented incident. Stay tuned for further updates on this breaking story.
