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Although the three mountain lions did not injure the humans themselves, they were shot after they were found eating human remains that were found on the Pima Canyon Trail in Arizona.
The Pima Canyon Trail was full of hikers on New Year’s Day who were blissfully unaware of what happened in the days beforehand. Access had been closed until about mid-morning while authorities dealt with what they had found.
Arizona Fish and Game reported that they had shot and removed three mountain lions – an older lion and her two yearlings, that were confirmed to have eaten the remains of humans that were found on the Pima Canyon Trail. They claim that they had no other option after human remains had been found in the lion droppings.
Mark Hart, a spokesperson for Arizona Fish and Game said, “We do not believe the lion attacked the individual who died there. An autopsy will tell us more. But our belief is that they were eating the human remains after the fact.”
Craig Smith, a reporter for KGUN9 asked Hart if relocation was ever an option for the now deceased mountain lions, considering that they weren’t the ones who caused the human’s death.
Hart replied, “No, because when you move a mountain lion in this part of the world, you’re just going to put it into another lion’s territory. They’re very territorial and will fight to the death over a piece of real estate.”
Even though the mountain lions did not attack the human, Game and Fish says that it is still abnormal for them to eat human remains, and it can be a sign that they might attack a human in the future.
A news release from the Regional Supervisor Raul Vega of AZGFD said the lions ate the remains, “…50 yards from a popular hiking trail and within sight of homes, and repeatedly showed no fear of responding officers. They were a clear and present danger to public safety.”
Wildlife experts recommend that if a predator seems like a threat, that you should throw rocks at it, and yell to drive it away. You should never turn your back and run as that can trigger the animal’s instinct to chase you.
