“We also contacted houndsmen to bring in dogs to help track scent from lions, which is a really effective way to find mountain lions,” said Van Hoose. Mountain lions are highly territorial, making it likely only one was involved in the attack. Van Hoose said mountain lion attacks are exceedingly rare, with 28 reported since 1990 in Colorado and the last fatality in 1999. Colorado is home to about 3800 to 4400 mountain lions – a figure that excludes kittens. Previously found across the United States, they are now extinct or endangered in the east, with the western states forming their stronghold.

Source: New Zealand Herald January 03, 2026 03:55 UTC