Jogger kills the attacking mountain lion with his bare hands

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – A trail runner in Colorado fought for his life without any weapons when he was attacked by an 80-pound mountain lion on Monday.

According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the Mountain Lion allegedly attacked an unnamed rider at Horsetooth Mountain Park, just west of Fort Collins.

The victim heard something behind him while he was running on the trail and was attacked when he returned to investigate. The mountain lion managed to bite his face and wrists before the runner could break free.

The runner smothered the animal with his bare hands.

After subjugating the mountain lion, he was able to go to safety and seek treatment at a nearby hospital.

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The CPW thinks that the young man was hunting and that his instinct was triggered.

"Mountain lion attacks are not common in Colorado and it is unfortunate that the lion's hunting instincts were triggered by the runner. It could have had a very different outcome, "said Ty Petersburg, Regional Wildlife Manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

The body of the mountain lion was found a few meters from the trail by the CPW. The lion was taken to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Animal Health Laboratory for an autopsy.

The last mountain lion attack in Colorado was reported in June 2016 in Pitkin County.

Colorado's parks and wildlife also gave advice in the statement if a person meets a mountain lion:

• Do not approach a lion, especially if he is feeding or has kittens. Most mountain lions will try to avoid confrontation. Give them a way to escape.
• Stay calm when you come across a lion. Speak calmly and firmly. Move slowly and never turn your back.
• Stop or recoil slowly, if you can do it safely. Running can stimulate the lion's instinct to hunt and attack. Face the lion and stand up.
• Do everything you can to look bigger. Raise your arms. Open your jacket if you wear one. If you have young children with you, protect them by picking them up so that they do not panic and run.
• If the lion behaves aggressively, throw stones, branches, or whatever else you can put your hand on your back without squatting or turning your back. Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly. What you want to do is convince the lion that you are not prey and that you could actually be a danger to the lion.
• Defend yourself if a lion attacks you. Lions have been hunted by prey who defend themselves. People fought back with stones, sticks, caps or jackets, gardening tools and their bare hands. Target the eyes and nose because they are sensitive areas. Stand up or try to get up.

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