Woman dies after suspected mountain lion attack

A hiker in the US state of Colorado is believed to have been killed by at least one mountain lion on Wednesday, according to wildlife officials.

If confirmed, it would be the first fatal attack in the area since 1999.

A group of hikers discovered the woman’s body on a remote trail and spotted a lion nearby. After scaring away the predatory cat, they examined the body but found no pulse, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) spokesperson Kara Van Hoose said.

She added that it was unclear whether one or more animals were involved in the attack. After an extensive search, the two mountain lions have been euthanized and investigators are now studying them for signs of human DNA.

Ms. Van Hoos told a news conference that the hikers threw rocks at the mountain lion to scare it away. CPW officers who arrived on the scene shot and killed the lion, which then ran away. They then tracked it down and euthanized it.

A second lion was found in the area and was also euthanized.

If neither lion is the culprit, the search for the possible attacker continues. According to CPW, wild animals that kill humans must be euthanized for public safety reasons.

Ms. Vanhus said the woman’s body showed signs of a mountain lion attack.

Ms Vanhus told the BBC her next of kin had been notified by the local Sheriff’s Office and her identity would be released later. It is believed she was hiking alone.

The Crosier Mountain Trail is located north of Denver, near the Wyoming border and close to Rocky Mountain National Park. It could be considered a secluded spot, Ms. Vanhus said, adding that hikers often lose cell phone signal.

The Larimer County Sheriff, police from the nearby city of Estes Park and volunteer firefighters have been assisting in the search.

According to CPW, a biologist was in the area by helicopter conducting deer surveys to help locate the animals and transport crews. Meanwhile, dog hunters bring dogs to track scents, which Ms. Vanhus said is an effective way to locate mountain lions.

Mountain lion attacks, fatal or nonfatal, are rare in the state, with CPW recording 28 attacks since 1990.

Mountain lions, also known as cougars, cougars, cats or panthers, are found throughout North America but are now primarily found in 15 western states, according to the Mountain Lion Foundation. They are mostly solitary animals and spend most of their time hunting, according to the foundation.