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

THE WESTERNER ^ | 2/5/19 | myself

[cowpoke]

Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers confirmed through a necropsy that a jogger on Horsetooth Mountain in Larimer County survived a rare attack by a young mountain lion by suffocating the animal to death. “After additional investigation, including examination of the lion, we have confirmed the victim’s account that he was able to suffocate the animal while defending himself from attack,” Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials tweeted Tuesday morning.

It’s unclear whether the runner — who has not yet been identified publicly — strangled or smothered the mountain lion. He had no weapons, so he killed the cat with his bare, bleeding hands after climbing on top of the animal, state wildlife officials said.

“It’s an amazing story. Everyone is baffled and impressed,” said Rebecca Ferrell, spokeswoman for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. “He had no weapons, no knives or trekking poles with him. How did he do it? It’s pretty rare. That is definitely a twist on this, I’m sure.” The victim was running on West Ridge Trail when he heard something behind him, Ferrell said. As he turned, he saw the mountain lion pounce for his head and neck, she said. The mountain lion bit him on the face and wrist. The victim managed to partially block the attack with his forearms, Ferrell said. He managed to fight and break free from the mountain lion. Once he fended the mountain lion off, he counter-attacked the cat by getting on top of it, she said. There are still a few mysteries, though, including exactly how he suffocated the animal. Wildlife officers will go to the hospital Tuesday and ask him many questions about how he survived and then killed the mountain lion, Ferrell said. Wildlife officers also searched the trail where the runner told them his fight with the mountain lion took place, a Parks and Wildlife news release says. They found the dead mountain lion within feet of possessions the victim asked the officers to look for, it says. Although preliminary information from the necropsy confirms the jogger’s story about the cause of death, detailed information about the mountain lion’s injuries have not been released and could take several days before they are made public...MORE

On Monday evening, the victim was treated for serious injuries including facial bite wounds and lacerations to his arms, legs and back.

...detailed information about the mountain lion’s injuries have not been released and could take several days before they are made public. 

Apparently it is OK to release detailed information about the human's injuries, but details about the lion's injuries are being held close by officials? A dead cat has more of a right to privacy than the human victim?

Wildlife officers will go to the hospital Tuesday and ask him many questions about how he survived and then killed the mountain lion, Ferrell said.

They are not just asking him to describe what occurred, but instead will ask "many questions."

This suggests to me this is still an active investigation, and could explain why details of the animals injuries have not been disclosed, and won't be until the human has answered "many questions."

In other words, the human is being treated as a suspect in a murder case.

[Rebelbase]

Freeper Kanawa. With a pocket knife.

[reasonisfaith]

Here it is:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1670661/posts

[reasonisfaith]

ping to #102

it’s now legend

[Malsua]

What state do you live in that rabies is that much of a problem?

Possums are as close to immune to rabies as any mammal gets, so I'm guessing he's living in fantasy land. I grew up on a 40 acre farm and spent all my time at my friend's 400 acre farm. We had one rabid coon in 20+ years. We shot it and buried it. The erratic behavior, making weird noises and foaming at the mouth didn't require a brain test.

[laplata]

Excellent point.

[Robert A Cook PE]

Yes, definitely the attitude of the story: “How dare this man kill the attacking animal! He must have chrated, must have broken the LAW somehow .”

[PAR35]

But a women killed a wild animal with her bare hands. She strangled i.But a women killed a wild animal with her bare hands. She strangled i.

It was a bobcat. Less than half the size of a full grown panther, but the cat in this story was a juvenile, so it might not have been much bigger.

[PAR35]

I’ll call your bluff on that. Possums don’t get rabies. They aren’t warm enough.

[BwanaNdege]

Crushed the trachea. Many big cats kill that way, too. He’s fortunate that the lion didn’t bite his trachea, then disembowel him with its hind claws.

[Big Red Badger]

Yup,
Our resident bear killer!

[Salamander]

Kanawa

[Carriage Hill]

I shot 3 very aggressive, wobbling/running after me. No mouth foam, but snarling and screeching. Brains tested positive at PA Fish & Game Commission Lab for rabies, like the coons and dog.

[Carriage Hill]

PA. That was back in 1997-78, when we seemed to have an epidemic. That ebbed in early 2000.

[rlmorel]

I remember reading that...can’t remember who that was.

I am drawn to bear threads. There is something horrifying, magnificent, and yet, hilarious about bears.

I blame it on the Far Side cartoons!

[daniel1212]

Gillette would not want this in their commercial. “Boys will be boys.” Too masculine.

But by the grace of God this man was prepared and able.

[Osage Orange]

Meaning run over the Senate?

I'm good with that...all of them!!

[daniel1212]

poorly written article...too many she/he/they said etc...... the tone of the article is almost like they think the guy MURDERED the cougar.......

Many question the claim of self-defense, and the suspect is undergoing interrogation. A spokesperson encouraged any (four-legged) eye-witnesses to come forward. Next of (cougar) kin have been notified. The mother attested that her son was a good cat, traveling his own yard and who did not deserve to be killed.

Racial motives are also been considered as it is reported that the killer is white, with Al Sharpton commenting that this appears to be another example of white supremacy.

[TigersEye]

In other words, the human is being treated as a suspect in a murder case.

I've lived in Larimer county for over thirty years and that just doesn't jibe with the reputation wildlife officers have here. They're the best.

They're also doing him a big favor by not releasing his name. If they do he will be subject to weeks of death threats and harassment from the peace, love and brown rice tree hugger types.

That's what happened to a guy who shot a mountain lion here that had been stalking his children where they waited for the school bus. That was a decade or so ago. The state had no problem with him but the oh-so tolerant eco-wacko libtards wanted him dead for protecting his kids. That seems to be a theme with liberals.

[thesearethetimes...]

That brought a smile ;}

Hope this evening finds you all well.
Tatt