LARIMER COUNTY – Colorado Parks and Wildlife is investigating a mountain lion attack on a trail runner at Horsetooth Mountain Park located west of Fort Collins Monday afternoon.
The victim survived the attack and is currently being treated at a local hospital according to a news release from CPW.
The man was running on the West Ridge Trail when he was attacked from behind by a mountain lion. It bit his face and wrist, the runner suffered facial lacerations, wrist injuries, scratches and puncture wounds to his arms, legs, and back.
Luckily, the man was able to fight off the mountain lion and hike himself out to safety. CPW is working with Larimer County and the victim to gather more information. The victims’ name has not been released.
Late Monday night, CPW reported that the man actually killed the cat in self-defense and did so without the use of any weapons.
CPW said they will perform a necropsy on the juvenile lion.
More on today’s mountain lion attack at Horsetooth Reservoir Open Space: the trail runner is recovering from his injuries, and the lion was killed as the victim defended himself on the trail. A necropsy will be performed by @COParksWildlife. More details: https://t.co/RVX0pfMg62
— CPW NE Region (@CPW_NE) February 5, 2019