At a Glance
- Mountain lion killed a hiker on New Year’s Day on Crosier Mountain trail.
- Authorities killed two lions at the scene and nearby to identify the attacker.
- A third lion remains under investigation; trails stay closed.
- Why it matters: The case shows rare but deadly cougar attacks in Colorado, raising concerns about human-wildlife overlap.
A body was found on the Crosier Mountain trail on New Year’s Day, and officials say a mountain lion was the likely killer. The incident follows a November encounter by a different hiker who fought off a cougar on the same trail.
November 11 Encounter
On a dark November morning, Gary Messina was hiking the same trail when he spotted two glowing eyes in the brush. He snapped a photo before a mountain lion rushed him, and he fought back by throwing his phone, kicking dirt and striking the animal with a broken stick.
- Headlamp revealed eyes in brush.
- Phone photo taken before attack.
- Struck lion with broken log.
Investigation and Necropsy
Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Larimer County Coroner’s Office are working to determine if the two lions killed at the scene and nearby were responsible. A necropsy will examine signs of disease such as rabies or avian flu.
Kara Van Hoose said:
> “wounds consistent with a mountain lion attack”
Rafael Moreno added:
> “An autopsy is scheduled for next week”
- Two lions killed at scene and nearby.
- Necropsy will test for rabies, avian flu.
- Autopsy scheduled next week.
Context and History
Mountain lion sightings are common in the area east of Rocky Mountain National Park, but fatal attacks are rare. The last suspected fatal encounter in Colorado was in 1999, and the last in North America in the past decade was this one.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Colorado cougar population | 3,800-4,400 |
| Weight | up to 130 lb (60 kg) |
| Length | >6 ft (1.8 m) |
| Diet | primarily deer |
- 15% of attacks are fatal.
- 30th fatal attack in North America since 1868.
Safety Advice
Experts advise traveling in groups, keeping children close, and avoiding dawn and dusk. If a cougar is encountered, maintain eye contact, appear larger, and back away slowly; do not run.
Byron Weckworth said:
> “To reduce the risk travel in groups, keep children close and avoid dawn and dusk when lions are most active”
Byron Weckworth added:
> “During an encounter, maintain eye contact with the lion, make yourself appear larger and back away slowly; don’t run”
Key Takeaways
- A mountain lion killed a New Year’s Day hiker on Crosier Mountain trail.
- Two lions were killed at the scene; a third remains under investigation.
- Colorado has 3,800-4,400 cougars; fatal attacks are rare but possible.
The authorities continue to close trails and hunt the remaining lion, underscoring the need for cautious recreation in cougar habitat.
