Mountain lion ‘latched onto’ cyclist’s face and neck

FALL CITY, Wash. — Five cyclists were attacked by a cougar while on a trail near Fall City Saturday afternoon.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) officers received a report of a human-cougar incident with documented injuries on Tokul Creek trail, which is northeast of Fall City, Washington, at 12:48 p.m.

A 60-year-old woman was taken to the hospital with serious injuries to her face, neck, and jaw, according to the WDFW. The woman has since been released from the hospital.

“It jumped from the side of the road and latched onto her, and her friends were able to detach and fight this thing off," said Sgt. Carlo Pace, with the WDFW Police.

Police praised the heroic action of the other cyclist who stepped in to help during the attack. The cougar was then shot and killed by fish and wildlife police.

"They 100% saved their friend's life," said Pace. “They were able to pin down a good size lion with its claws and teeth and everything else under a mountain bike until we arrived.”

Many cyclists on the trails were on alert after hearing about the attack.

“It’s terrifying. I was up here on the trail yesterday," said Luke Chouinard. "I didn’t see anything out of the ordinary, but there is definitely wildlife around these parts, so you always have to be careful and aware."

The WDFW said cougar attacks on humans are extremely rare. Residents in the area told KOMO News that while attacks area rare, they still know they are still in wildlife territory and to proceed with caution.

“We’re always mindful and respectful that you’re in their environment and just trying to make noise and move quickly and always be cautious," said Tim Woolford.

The WDFW said a "subadult" cougar on the scene was removed by WDFW personnel. A hound handler was also dispatched Saturday afternoon after eyewitnesses indicated there may have been a second cougar involved in the incident. The WDFW said a second cougar was not found near the scene.

Cougar attacks on humans are "extremely rare" in western Washington, but they do happen.

In July last year, an 8-year-old was attacked by a cougar in Olympic National Park while camping at Lake Angeles, which is located south of Port Angeles.

The National Park Service said the cougar stopped its attack after the child’s mother screamed and yelled at the animal to scare it away. Officials said the child suffered minor injuries during the attack.

A cougar also attacked two mountain bikers near North Bend in May 2018. Thirty-two-year-old S.J. Brooks was killed in the attack. The other man, 31-year-old Isaac Sederbaum, survived.

Officials said the deadly 2018 attack in the Cascade foothills was the first fatal cougar attack in Washington state in 94 years.

Relatively few people will ever catch a glimpse of a cougar, much less confront one. If you come face to face with a cougar, your actions can either help or hinder a quick retreat by the animal.

The WDFW shared the following recommendations hikers and campers to remember if you ever encounter a cougar in the wild:

• Stop, pick up small children immediately, and don’t run. Running and rapid movements may trigger an attack. Remember, at close range, a cougar’s instinct is to chase.

• Face the cougar. Talk to it firmly while slowly backing away. Always leave the animal an escape route.

• Try to appear larger than the cougar. Get above it (e.g., step up onto a rock or stump). If wearing a jacket, hold it open to further increase your apparent size. If you are in a group, stand shoulder-to-shoulder to appear intimidating.

• Do not take your eyes off the cougar or turn your back. Do not crouch down or try to hide.

• Never approach the cougar, especially if it is near a kill or with kittens, and never offer it food.

• If the cougar does not flee, be more assertive. If it shows signs of aggression (crouches with ears back, teeth bared, hissing, tail twitching, and hind feet pumping in preparation to jump), shout, wave your arms and throw anything you have available (water bottle, book, backpack). The idea is to convince the cougar that you are not prey, but a potential danger.

• If the cougar attacks, fight back. Be aggressive and try to stay on your feet. Cougars have been driven away by people who have fought back using anything within reach, including sticks, rocks, shovels, backpacks, and clothing—even bare hands. If you are aggressive enough, a cougar will flee, realizing it has made a mistake. Pepper spray in the cougar’s face is also effective in the extreme unlikelihood of a close encounter with a cougar.

Officials said traveling in groups and making noise while hiking on trails will also help prevent surprising a cougar. The WDFW also recommends avoiding hiking after dark and keeping small children close to the group – preferably in plain sight ahead of you.

by KOMO News Staff

komonews.com