A couple in Colorado was enjoying a peaceful evening soaking in a hot tub outdoors when their tranquility was abruptly shattered by a mountain lion attack. The husband was suddenly clawed on the head by the wild animal, instantly ending the romantic atmosphere and replacing it with shock and fear.
The incident took place in Nathrop, Chaffee County, Colorado, at a rental home near Chalk Creek. The couple had been relaxing in an in-ground hot tub outside their vacation property on the evening of March 18 when the mountain lion unexpectedly struck. The man sustained several superficial scratches on his head and near his right ear from the attack.
According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials, the man felt something grab his head, and both he and his wife immediately began screaming and splashing water at the animal in an effort to fend it off. The wife also shone a flashlight on the mountain lion, which caused it to retreat about 20 feet away. Despite the retreat, the mountain lion remained nearby, crouching on a hilltop and continuing to watch the couple.
The couple then quickly got out of the hot tub and ran inside their home to clean the man's wounds and call for help. By the time wildlife officers arrived, the mountain lion had disappeared. Due to frozen ground and snow, tracking the animal proved difficult, but officers set traps and posted warning signs to alert neighbors of recent lion activity.
Sean Shepherd, Area Wildlife Manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, commented that the mountain lion likely saw the man's head moving in the dark but did not recognize the people in the hot tub. He praised the couple for their quick thinking in making noise and using light to deter the animal, actions that likely prevented more serious injury.
This attack marks the first reported mountain lion attack on a human in Colorado since February 2022 and is the 24th known injury-causing mountain lion attack in the state since 1990. While such attacks are rare, three of those incidents have been fatal. Colorado Parks and Wildlife continues to monitor mountain lion activity closely and urges residents to report sightings or encounters.
Safety Tips for Mountain Lion Encounters
- Make plenty of noise when walking or hiking in mountain lion country to avoid surprising one.
- Go in groups and keep children close and within sight at all times.
- Do not approach a mountain lion; give it a way to escape.
- If you encounter a lion, stay calm, face it, and stand tall. Running may provoke a chase.
- Make yourself appear larger by raising your arms or opening your jacket.
- If the lion behaves aggressively, use whatever you can to defend yourself without crouching or turning your back.
The couple's experience serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and preparedness when enjoying Colorado's beautiful but wild outdoors.
