I have mixed feelings about this -these bikers rode into cougar territory

[malaise]

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/19/cougar-kills-mountain-biker-injures-another-washington-state
<snip>
A mountain lion killed one mountain biker and mauled another in Washington state on Saturday when they rode into its territory. State officials later tracked the animal and shot it dead, police said.

In the ensuing attack, the first rider received deep scratches and the other was dragged away by the cougar to its den, King county sheriff spokesman Sergeant Ryan Abbot said.

The 31-year-old survivor rode two miles out of the area and called 911.
Police drove up the trail, found the victim’s bike and went into the woods where they came across the cougar standing over the victim’s body, Abbott said.

“He or she, I don’t know if the cougar was a male or female, had the body of the victim down in his den,” said Ryan.

A deputy took a shot at the animal, sending it fleeing into the woods. Officers of the state fish and game department tracked the cat with dogs and killed it, Abbott said.
The surviving cyclist was taken to hospital in Seattle with serious but none-life-threatening injuries, he said.

[Snackshack]

1. I don't think.

They should have killed the Mountain Lion.

[hlthe2b]

2. It is heart breaking to me and yes, this cougar was reacting to a threat in its territory

I wish we could preserve their territory from such encroachments. Mountain bikers don't need to have free reign EVERYWHERE. That said, once an animal has killed humans, it becomes a very dangerous situation.

But, I am heart broken this encroachment by humans caused such tragedy for both human AND beautiful animal.

[malaise]

4. It's this belief that humans have dominion over

all things. We are disgusting

[paleotn]

7. Exactly...

The same with brown bears, wolves, etc. Give them their space without any encroachment my humans and let them do what they've always done. And for those who get queasy and arrogant about this, it wasn't all that long ago that we were a regular on the large feline menu.

[secondwind]

3. What a horrible story. It is not clear from the article if they knew this.

The article also says that these cats, overall, only attack humans when cornered.

I understand what you are saying though. What a tragedy.

[paleotn]

5. I hear you and feel the same...

The cougar was just doing what cougars do.

[leftyladyfrommo]

6. The problem is that once these predators find out

how easy it is to kill humans they will do it again. Bears are tge same way.

And I am on the lion's side. People should stay out of their territory.

[RKP5637]

8. Humans think they rule the universe and have the right to kill off living things in

their way when humans trespass. It's a long history with humans killing many things. IMO the bikers did not belong in that territory.

[malaise]

9. It's worse than that

Some think they can kill humans because they want their territory - this dominion thing is deadly.

[RKP5637]

11. One little spinning ball of dirt in a vast unknown universe, the only life form we really know of,

and many implement/wish ways to kill each other off. I don't think it's going to end well in the long term. Some just can't shed their prehistoric genetic predisposition toward violence. And others find it very profitable money wise. It's a F'ed up place. Maybe all humans need meds to help them control their violent urges/deeds.

[malaise]

12. It's a F'ed up place

Can't say it better

[Ron Obvious]

10. Geez, I was just riding in that very area myself last Thursday

I've never even seen mountain lions in that area, nor have I heard of anyone being attacked like this. This is an extremely rare event, as the article itself says:

It was only the second deadly attack by a mountain lion in Washington state in the last 100 years, Abbott said.

Come to think of it, I think I once heard a loud purring sound from the underbrush and I assumed that must have been a cougar. It certainly wasn't a house cat.

[malaise]

14. Glad you're OK

LOL for the house cat comment.

[mn9driver]

13. In the last 128 years, 26 people have been killed by cougars in North America.

These kinds of attacks are extremely rare, and in the cases where the cougar has been identified and autopsied, disease and age are often factors.

For context, an average of 51 people are killed by lightning every year, and domestic dogs kill 20 to 30 people every year in the US.

[smirkymonkey]

15. Context matters. Thanks for the stats.

I do think there should be signs in such areas warning people about wildlife risks so they are aware of the danger before they decide to do something stupid. If they don't heed the warning, then they only have themselves to blame.