A female police officer bravely fought off a mountain lion with her bare hands and was fortunate to receive timely assistance from her colleagues. The incident occurred in Loveland, Colorado, USA.
The female officer pushed the mountain lion away and struck its nose.
Specifically, a mountain lion that had been hiding under a parked truck suddenly lunged out to attack a nearby civilian and the female officer. When other police officers arrived at the scene, the female officer was still engaged in a barehanded struggle with the mountain lion.
In a clip captured by surveillance cameras, the female officer managed to push the mountain lion away from herself and struck its nose. A colleague quickly ran over and kicked the animal, causing it to flee.
Subsequently, the mountain lion was shot and killed by the police. The attacked officer was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Fortunately, while she was bitten by the lion, her injuries were not life-threatening.
The mountain lion (Puma concolor) is a large cat native to the Americas, with a range that extends from Yukon in Canada to the Strait of Magellan in the southern part of the continent. In the United States, they are primarily found in 14 western states, inhabiting environments that include mountainous forests, deserts, and wetlands.
Mountain lions vary significantly in size depending on their habitat. Males typically weigh between 115 – 220 pounds (52 – 100 kg), while females weigh between 64 – 140 pounds (29 – 64 kg).
Encounters between humans and mountain lions are very rare, and the likelihood of an attack is extremely low, but authorities still urge the public to remain vigilant. If a mountain lion is spotted nearby, people should not run away or turn their backs. The instinct of a mountain lion is to chase and catch anything it perceives as potential prey. Instead, individuals should face the lion to appear larger.
