In the state of Colorado, a jogger yesterday successfully fought an attack by a mountain lion. The lion is dead, the man is recovering in the hospital, reported the newspaper „Coloradoan“ today, citing authorities.
According to information from the US media, the man was traveling alone in the Horsetooth Mountain Park when the lion attacked him from behind. The animal was later identified as a young mountain lion potentially weighing about 80 pounds (37 kilograms) or more.
Bites in the face and wrist
According to the „Coloradoan“ the name of the jogger has not been announced yet. He told the authorities that the cat had attacked him and bit his face and wrist. He had been able to defend himself and killed the lion by suffocation.
After additional investigation, including examination of the lion, we have confirmed the victim’s account that he was able to suffocate the animal while defending himself from the attack.
– CPW NE Region (@CPW_NE) 5 February 2019
The incident has already been confirmed, it goes on. Staff of the park have already found the dead lion. „The jogger has done everything to save his life,“ said Mark Leslie, manager of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Northeast Region. Colorado’s popular park was temporarily closed for investigation.
Attacks on humans very rarely
According to those responsible, attacks by mountain lions on humans are extremely rare. Lions are „evasive animals“ that would „rather avoid people“. In more than 100 years, there were fewer than 20 dead after an attack. Since 1990, 16 people have been injured in Colorado, three killed.
Should one still encounter a mountain lion, one should not run. „Running can stimulate the instinct of a lion to hunt and attack,“ it said in a broadcast of the park. One must show the lion that one is not the prey, but a danger to the cat.
