Cougar attacks five cyclists in Washington, leaves one woman hospitalized

A woman was taken to the hospital after a cougar attacked five bicyclists on a Washington trail Saturday afternoon, officials said.

The bikers were on a trail northeast of Fall City, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) east of Seattle, when they were attacked around 12:50 p.m. local time, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said. “One subadult cougar was removed upon arrival at the scene,” police said. Based on witness accounts, troopers said they believe there may be a second cougar, but it has not yet been found.

Authorities have not released the identity of the hospitalized woman, but said her condition is stable. He did not say whether the other four bikers were injured in the attack.

The National Park Service says cougars are rarely seen and attacks on humans are extremely rare.

Since 1924, state officials have recorded about 20 encounters between humans and cougars with documented injuries, including a fatal attack in 2018, according to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.

In July 2023, an 8-year-old camper survived a crash in Washington. cougar attack with minor injuries. The National Park Service said at the time that the cougar “casually abandoned the attack” after his mother yelled at it.a 9-year-old girl survives cougar attack in Washington in 2022.

Cougars are the largest cat species found in Washington state, with adult males weighing an average of 140 pounds. Adult females rarely weigh more than 110 pounds. They are most active from dusk until dawn.

Experts say people who spot a cougar should not run as this could trigger the animal's aggressive instincts. Instead, people should form groups to look as big as possible and make a lot of noise. If a cougar shows signs of aggression, such as baring its teeth or hissing, officials recommend yelling, waving your arms or throwing anything you can get your hands on.

“The goal is to convince the cougar that it is not prey and is a potential danger,” according to guidelines from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Those who have been attacked should actively fight back and try to stand up.

According to guidelines from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, “Cougars have been chased away by people who fought back using anything they could get their hands on, including sticks, rocks, shovels, backpacks, clothing, and even their bare hands.” That's what it means. “If you're aggressive enough, the cougar will realize it made a mistake and run away.”