How the trail runner attacked by a mountain lion in Larimer County killed the animal

[Borg warner]

Here's a more detailed account of what happened than most I've read:

A runner in Colorado was reportedly attacked by a mountain lion — so he choked it to death. I ain’t kidding.

The attack occurred as the man, who has not been publicly identified, was running on West Ridge Trail in Horsetooth Mountain Park. He heard something behind him, and when he turned he was faced with one big cat.

He knew the recommended routine to avoid attack, so he yelled and waved his arms above his head. It didn’t work; the deadly cat pounced on him. As they say, ‘a struggle ensued.’

When it pounced anyway, he blocked the cat with his forearms. The animal bit his face and then his wrist and wouldn’t let go… So he picked up a rock with his free hand and pounded its head. Still the cat persisted. Then he put it in a headlock and wrestled it, finally jumping on its back and — using his hands, arms and feet — choked the beast to death, [CPW spokeswoman Rebecca] Ferrell said.

‘It’s an amazing story. Everyone is baffled and impressed,’ she said. ‘He had no weapons, no knives or trekking poles with him.’

The 30-something-year-old man reportedly drove himself to a hospital where he was treated for cuts, scratches, and puncture wounds to his face, arms, legs, and back, as well as a wrist injury.

The cat’s carcass was recovered from the site and reportedly tested negative for rabies.

Historically speaking, attacks on humans by big cats may be on the rise in Colorado.

Over the past 100 years, only 20 people in North America have died from a cougar attack, the CPW said. But in Colorado, the cats have killed three people and injured 16 since 1990.

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The last previous mountain lion attack on a person in Colorado was reported in June 2016 in Pitkin County.

https://www.alloutdoor.com/2019/02/07/guy-strangled-mountain-lion-attacked/

[Silentpoet]

The other article said others helped him to the hospital.  Who knows what the real details are, but it is a cool story still.

 

[Borg warner]

Update:

 

[larry_minn]

On February 6, 2019 at 9:46 PM, minervadoe said:

Note to self: Don't go hiking with a fish in your pocket.

  

My FIL used to tell a story of hauling scouts yo a canoe site.  One brought some smoked fish.  But he hid the bones, skin in FIL's car when they got in canoes...   They got back to car and a bear had ripped door, seat up...

  BTW CO is one of the states I am in often that I can't carry concealed.  Even up in mountains, by the cabin.

Edited February 16, 2019 by larry_minn