Aiexpress – A cougar attacked a group of five cyclists on a Washington route on Saturday afternoon, causing a woman to be hospitalized, according to officials.
A group of bikers were riding on a trail northeast of Fall City, which is approximately 25 miles east of Seattle, when they came under attack at around 12:50 p.m. local time. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife responded to the incident and was able to remove one subadult cougar from the scene. According to eyewitness accounts, there may be a second cougar involved, although it has not been found at this time.
The woman who was hospitalized is currently in stable condition, according to officials. However, no identifying information about her has been provided. It remains unclear whether the other four bikers involved in the attack sustained any injuries.
According to the National Park Service, sightings of cougars are infrequent and incidents of attacks on humans are extremely rare.
According to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, there have been approximately two dozen documented cougar-human encounters resulting in injuries since 1924, including a fatal attack in 2018.
In July 2023, an 8-year-old camper in Washington survived a cougar attack with minor injuries. It was reported at the time that the cougar “casually abandoned its attack” when the child’s mother yelled at it. A 9-year-old girl in Washington State was attacked by a cat in 2022 and managed to stay alive.
Cougars in Washington are the largest members of the cat family, with adult males typically weighing around 140 pounds. Adult females, on the other hand, usually weigh less, with an average weight of 110 pounds. These majestic creatures are most active during the period from dusk until dawn.
When encountering a cougar, it is advised by experts not to run as it can provoke the animal’s attack response. Instead, individuals should gather together to create the illusion of a larger presence and generate noise. If the cougar displays signs of aggression, such as showing its teeth and hissing, officials recommend shouting, waving their arms, and utilizing any nearby objects to deter the animal.
According to guidelines from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, the concept is to persuade the cougar that you are not an easy target, but rather a potential threat.
When someone is being attacked, it is important for them to actively defend themselves and maintain their balance.
According to the guidelines provided by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, people have successfully deterred cougars by displaying aggression and using whatever objects are available, such as sticks, rocks, shovels, backpacks, and even their own clothing or bare hands. The idea is that if you assertively defend yourself, the cougar will recognize its error and retreat.
