NATHROP (Colo.) — Wildlife officials Monday said they are looking for a mountain lion who bit a man while he was in a hot tub at a central Colorado rental property with his wife.
According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the man was relaxing in an in-ground hot tub in a wooded subdivision west from Nathrop when something grabbed his head. His wife lit a flashlight and he screamed at a mountain lion.
According to authorities, it was seen retreating to the top of the hill to continue to monitor the couple.
The husband and wife were able get back in the house, cleaned their wounds, and called the property owner who happens to be a representative of Colorado Parks and Wildlife. He had superficial scratches on his head and his right ear. However, he refused medical attention.
Sean Shepherd, a Salida-based wildlife manager, said that it is likely that the mountain lion noticed the man’s head moving in the darkness at ground level but didn’t recognize those in the hot tub. “The couple did the right things by making noise and shining light on the lion.”
The state wildlife officers began looking for the big cat on a steep ridge close to a creek, but they couldn’t find any tracks in frozen snow. They set up a trap and will continue to monitor the activity of mountain lions near Nathrop. This mountainous area is well-known for its outdoor activities.
Saturday’s attack was the first mountain lion attack in Colorado since February 2022. According to wildlife officials, at least 27 people have been hurt in Colorado mountain lion attacks since 1990. Three of these victims were fatal.
