Cougar Attack Kills One Person, Injures Another Thirty Miles East Of Seattle
BY Herschel Smith
6 years, 7 months ago
From reader Fred Tippens, news from the northeast.
NORTH BEND, Wash. — One man was killed and another seriously injured when they encountered a cougar Saturday while mountain biking in Washington state, officials said.
Authorities said the two men were on a morning bike ride in the foothills near North Bend when the attack occurred. The town is about 30 miles (48 kilometers) east of Seattle.
The mountain lion ran into the woods and officers with the Washington Department of Fish and Game later tracked it down and shot and killed it, said Capt. Alan Myers of the state’s Fish & Wildlife Police.
The 31-year-old survivor was taken to a hospital in Seattle. He was initially listed in serious condition in the emergency room but was alert and talking; his condition was later upgraded to satisfactory, The Seattle Times reported.
A search and rescue team was dispatched to recover the body of the deceased man.
KIRO-TV reported that the injured man called 911 shortly before 11 a.m. and shouted, “Can you hear me? Help!” and then the call hung up.
Authorities found the cougar standing over the body of the dead biker, the station reported.
Over 6,000 cougars live in Oregon, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. It’s rare for people to see or encounter them, the agency said, but sightings have increased.
The Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife says that adult male cougars average about 140 pounds but can hit 180 pounds and measure 7 to 8 feet long, counting the tail. Adult females are about 25 percent smaller. The agency says the cats can leap 30 feet from a standstill and 15 feet straight up. Their normal prey includes deer, elk, and wild sheep.
That’s terrible news for the bikers. Fred asks a question: “Is this the stone age?” Doubtless, he’s referring to the counsel given by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife if one comes upon a cougar. ” … If in the very unusual event that a cougar attacks you, fight back with rocks, sticks, tools or any items available.”
Don’t carry a big bore gun with you, leave that at home. Sticks are apparently more effective. For Fred, I’m surprised that you don’t understand! Cougars get a fighting chance too, don’t you know. So says Mother Earth, or All Mother. Or somebody. Or something.
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On May 21, 2018 at 12:17 pm, DAN III said:
ALCON,
“….fight back with blah, blah, blah….”.
Why ? Just “call” the cops. They exist to protect you. Besides, they have those evil “items available” for themselves. Maybe they’ll share.
On May 21, 2018 at 12:19 pm, Fred said:
Dan, when I saw a comment by you, I swear, my mind flashed to you writing…’there are no good cougars’. Heh.
On May 21, 2018 at 12:59 pm, ExpatNJ said:
Survivors/Estate lawsuit against WDFW?
I sure hope so.
On May 21, 2018 at 2:22 pm, SGT.BAG said:
Maybe they should establish a cougar-free zone.
Here kitty,kitty……
On May 21, 2018 at 4:42 pm, Henry said:
Guy DID call the cops. So problem solved. Next.