Heartbreaking footage has been released showing the pack of mountain lions responsible for the tragic death of a solo hiker in Colorado.
Kristen Marie Kovatch, 46, was hiking near Glen Haven on New Year’s Day when she was mauled to death.
Her body was discovered later that day when two other hikers, walking along the same trail, stumbled upon the scene.
They were horrified to find one of the mountain lions standing over Kovatch’s body. In a desperate attempt to protect themselves, they threw rocks to scare the animal away, but by then, it was too late.
Following the incident, two of the mountain lions involved, a male and female, were euthanized by park rangers.
Kovatch's Loved Ones Spoke Out
The late woman's heartbroken brother, Jeffrey Kovatch, shared an emotional tribute post on Facebook.
“She died doing something she loved deeply, hiking and taking in the beauty of Colorado and its public lands," he wrote under a picture of his sister. “I keep hoping this is all just a nightmare I’ll wake up from.”
Jeffrey said his sister, who previously worked as a medical assistant at the UCHealth Heart and Vascular Clinic, "was so loved by our immediate and extended family, her friends, and her coworkers".
“She was an amazing aunt to my three kids, a tender caretaker to my elderly parents, and my baby sister who I will miss dearly," he added.
Autopsy and Investigation Findings
An autopsy conducted by the Larimer County Coroner’s Office revealed that Kovatch's cause of death was asphyxia, as the animal had compressed her neck during the attack.
Meanwhile, a necropsy on the two euthanized lions confirmed the presence of human DNA on the male lion’s paws.
“Human DNA was found on all four paws of the male subadult lion. No human DNA was detected on the female subadult. Both lions tested negative for rabies,” said CPW agency spokesman Kara Can Hoose, per The Sun.
Authorities initially searched for a third mountain lion believed to have been involved in the attack, but this search was later ended.
CCTV footage confirmed that as many as four mountain lions were on the prowl in the area before the fatal attack occurred.
Mountain Lion Safety and Warnings
While attacks by mountain lions are rare, this incident has raised awareness of the dangers posed by these large predators.
In the past 36 years, there have been 28 reported mountain lion attacks in Colorado.
These animals can weigh up to 130 pounds and grow as long as six feet, preying mostly on deer, elk, and smaller animals such as rabbits, rodents, and coyotes.
During the winter months, mountain lions may become more visible as they search for food. Hikers are advised to take precautions when hiking in areas known to be home to mountain lions.