What began as a quiet hike in Colorado’s backcountry may have ended in a rare and chilling tragedy.
Wildlife officials say a woman is believed to have been killed by at least one mountain lion on a remote trail north of Denver.
If confirmed, the incident would mark the state’s first fatal mountain lion attack since 1999.
Other hikers stumbled upon her body on the Crosier Mountain Trail and spotted a lion nearby.
They hurled rocks to scare it off, but when they checked on the woman, there was no pulse.
“It was clear the injuries were consistent with a mountain lion attack,” said Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesperson Kara Van Hoose.
Rare Predator Attack
Whether one animal or more were involved remains unclear.
Two mountain lions found in the area were later euthanised and are being tested for human DNA.
If neither is linked to the attack, the search will continue.
The woman is believed to have been hiking alone in an area known for patchy phone service and isolation.
Local law enforcement, wildlife officers, tracking dogs and even a helicopter-assisted biologist joined the response.
Mountain lion attacks are exceedingly rare — just 28 recorded in Colorado since 1990.
Still, the incident is a sobering reminder: in wild places, nature always has the final say.
