At a Glance
- Woman’s body found on a Colorado trail shows mountain lion wounds, the fourth fatal attack in North America this decade.
- Hiker Gary Messina survived a November lion attack on the same trail.
- Authorities have killed two lions and are hunting a third.
Why it matters: The incident highlights the growing overlap between human recreation and mountain lion habitats in Colorado.
On New Year’s Day, a woman’s body was discovered on the Crosier Mountain trail in Colorado, and her injuries point to a mountain lion attack, marking the fourth fatal encounter in North America this decade. The same trail had already seen a harrowing encounter last November when hiker Gary Messina, a 32-year-old from Glen Haven, fought off a lion.
Recent Lion Encounters
Messina recounted seeing two glowing eyes in the brush and then being pursued. He threw his phone, kicked dirt, and finally struck the animal with a broken stick, forcing it to flee.
- Throwing the phone at the animal
- Kicking dirt and yelling
- Hitting the lion in the head with a broken stick
Investigation and Wildlife Response
Wildlife officials tracked down and killed two lions near the site, one at the scene and another nearby. A necropsy will determine if either attacked the woman or carried diseases such as rabies or avian flu.
Kara Van Hoose stated:
> “Wounds consistent with a mountain lion attack.”
Rafael Moreno said:
> “An autopsy is scheduled for next week.”
Kara Van Hoose added:
> “We are still searching for a third mountain lion, and nearby trails remain closed while the hunt continues.”
Historical Context
Mountain lion attacks on humans in Colorado are rare, with the last suspected fatal encounter in 1999. In 1997, a 10-year-old boy was killed in Rocky Mountain National Park.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Nov 11 | Messina’s encounter |
| Jan 1 | Woman’s fatal attack |
| 1999 | Last suspected fatal encounter |
| 1997 | Boy killed in RMNP |
Byron Weckworth advised:
> “Back away slowly. Do not run.”
Key Takeaways
- Authorities are actively hunting the lion responsible for the recent fatal attack.
- Two lions have already been killed; a third may still be present.
- The incident underscores the need for caution in areas where human activity overlaps with mountain lion territories.
The hunt continues as officials seek to identify the culprit and prevent future encounters.
