A runner strangled a cougar that attacked him during a mountain hike

That's what happened in Loveland, Colorado, when a runner was suddenly attacked by the feline during a hike on Horsetooth Mountain. The animal, a young specimen, bit him repeatedly and scratched him with his claws on the face, back, arms and legs, as indicated by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and the county. Larimer, where the event has occurred.

During the attack, the runner managed to smother the animal, but suffered several injuries to the head, neck, face, forearms and wrists, as well as "serious injuries" and cuts on the legs and back. Despite this, the man went alone to a hospital where he was diagnosed that his injuries were serious but did not put his life at risk.

According to the authorities, the events occurred yesterday near a reservoir in the Horseshoe Mountain area, west of the town of Fort Collins, in Larimer County, while the town of Fort Collins, in the County of Larimer. man was trotting near the place. The injuries of this person, whose identity has not been revealed, reveal that the cougar attacked him from behind, trapping him at the level of his neck. The man faced the animal – also called mountain lion – and, according to the CPW, would have hanged him.

Through a series of messages posted on Twitter, CPW researchers indicated that they had been able to confirm "the victim's story that he could choke the animal while defending himself from him." 39; attack. " However, we still do not know what caused the action of the cougar, a young specimen, because there are few attacks by these felines on humans (since 1990 there have been only 16 attacks of cougars in Colorado, although three died for it). It is badumed that the trot of the man could be the triggering factor or that the cougar was sick.

In any case, a human action "unleashed the instinct" of the feline, according to the CPW. It is unclear how the attacker, who had no defense weapon, was choking the animal. His hands were hurt and bleeding. CPW spokesperson Rebecca Ferrell told local media: "We are all confused and impressed". Also, the official said that killing a cougar in the hand "is very rare".

Once the man has recovered enough, probably this afternoon, the investigators will have "several questions to ask him," Ferrell said. The details of the necropsy of the cougar, as well as the wounds of the attacked man, will not be disclosed during the course of the investigation.

On his Facebook account, local governor, Jared Polis, urged residents today not to try to repeat what the North Colorado man did because "it will probably end badly for you. ". Last month, CPW agents trapped and killed five cougars in the west of the state and said it was "the only option" they had after they had been killed. Be strolled near the city of Glenwood Springs.

Source: El País