In case you missed it, a mountain lion encounter that happened over the weekend in California took a deadly turn, when two brothers, 21 and 18, were attacked by a cougar near El Dorado National Forest. The 21-year-old was killed with the 18-year-old suffering traumatic face injuries.

Authorities were able to find and kill the mountain lion involved in the attack, with the topic of safety around these apex predators becoming a hot topic in hours to follow.

With that conversation underway, it’s important to note that mountain lion attacks on humans are rare, and that fatal attacks are basically unheard of – the last time a mountain lion killed a person in California was 2004, with six deaths and fewer than 50 attacks taking place in the state since 1890.

Even still, some have been quick to point out that California has started to see mountain lions moving closer to civilization in the years after local hunting of the cat ceased in 1972. This reality, coupled with the ever-increasing interest in recreation in lion habitat, has stoked the fears that attacks could become more frequent.

Given that an estimated 4,000 mountain lions roam Colorado (compared to an estimated 4,500 in California), this tragic incident provides a good opportunity to discuss whether or not mountain lions should be feared in the Centennial State, as well as what to do during an encounter.

For starters – it must again be stressed that mountain lion attacks on humans are extremely rare. Per a 2023 Colorado Outdoors Mag report, there have been 25 known mountain lion attacks on a human since 1990 – the last verified mountain lion-related death in Colorado took place in 1997 and involved a 10-year-old in Rocky Mountain National Park. A 3-year-old may have also been killed in 1999 by a mountain lion in Colorado, though that case remains highly debated. Regardless – fatal attacks are rare and even rarer in cases where an adult human is involved.

With that said, those exploring Colorado shouldn’t necessarily ‘fear’ these big cats. They tend to avoid human encounters, and even in cases of stalking, they’re likely to keep their distance.

While a level of constant fear while in mountain lion territory probably isn’t justified, a level of respect always is. It’s important to behave in a responsible way while around the species in order to minimize risk.

Best practices start with keeping a safe distance. Never attempt to approach or feed a mountain lion if one is spotted on the trail. When a mountain lion encounter does occur, do what you can to make yourself look as big as possible. Raise your jacket and backpack in the air and make it clear that you’re not prey. Speaking loudly at the cat can also help scare it off.

It’s also important to remember to never run. This can prompt a chase and attack response from the mountain lion. Instead, keep facing the cat, but slowly work to create distance between yourself and the animal. Consider throwing objects in the direction of the cat, as this can also help to scare the animal off – but don’t crouch down to pick something up.

If an attack occurs, fight back with all you’ve got. Striking the animal’s head and eyes is probably your best bet.

It’s also worth noting that mountain lions can become more defensive and aggressive if they’re around their young, if they’re injured, or if they feel trapped. Never get between a lion and their young and always make sure a lion has a clear line of escape in an encounter. If an encounter occurs, report it to your local Colorado Parks and Wildlife office.

Learn more about living with mountain lions from Colorado Parks and Wildlife here.

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