February 05, 2019 - 10:50 AM
FORT COLLINS, Colo. - The Latest on a man attacked by a mountain lion in Colorado (all times local):
11:45 a.m.
Wildlife officials say a man who fought off a young mountain lion on a northern Colorado trail killed the animal by choking it.
The man was running alone near Fort Collins on Monday when the lion attacked him from behind after the movement apparently triggered its hunting instincts.
A spokeswoman for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Rebecca Ferrell, says the man told investigators he choked it and an examination of the animal confirmed that.
Ferrell says he did exactly the right thing by fighting back as hard as he could. Since he was just out for a run, he didn't have anything to help him other than "sheer will."
The agency isn't identifying the man because of its investigation. He was hospitalized but is expected to make a full recovery.
Mountain lions attacks are rare. Sixteen people have been injured and three killed by mountain lions in Colorado since 1990.
____
9:50 a.m.
Wildlife officials say a man who fought off a young mountain lion on a northern Colorado trail killed the animal by suffocating it.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife says the man was running alone near Fort Collins when the lion attacked him from behind after the movement apparently triggered its hunting instincts.
The runner, whose name hasn't been released, fought off the cougar, hiked out of the area after Monday's attack and drove himself to a hospital. He suffered facial cuts, wrist injuries and puncture wounds to his arms, legs and back.
On Tuesday, Colorado Parks and Wildlife said the investigation confirmed the man's account that he suffocated the animal.
Mountain lions attacks are rare. Sixteen people have been injured and three killed by mountain lions in Colorado since 1990.
News from © The Associated Press, 2019