WASHINGTON — A tragic incident involving a possible mountain lion attack has claimed the life of a woman in northern Colorado. This event represents the first suspected fatality from such an encounter in the state in more than 20 years.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife reported that other hikers on the Crosier Mountain trail in Larimer County witnessed a mountain lion near a person on the ground at approximately 12:15 p.m. on Thursday. The hikers attempted to scare off the animal by throwing rocks and subsequently rushed to assist the woman.

Among the witnesses was a physician who could not detect a pulse, as confirmed by Kara Van Hoose, a spokesperson for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, during an interview with KUSA.

The woman, believed to have been hiking solo, was declared dead at the location. Her identity and the official cause of death will be disclosed by the Larimer County Coroner.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife said there were signs consistent with a mountain lion attack, though investigators have not confirmed whether one or more animals were involved. 

State policy requires wildlife involved in attacks on humans to be euthanized for public safety. 

The agency launched an extensive search with help from local law enforcement, firefighters, a wildlife biologist conducting aerial surveys and houndsmen using dogs to track the mountain lion.

One mountain lion was located at the scene, shot and later euthanized after fleeing. A second mountain lion found nearby was also euthanized. Necropsies will also be performed to test for disease and any presence of human DNA.

Mountain lions — also known as cougars, pumas or catamounts — can weigh 130 pounds  and grow to more than six feet long. They primarily eat deer.

Colorado has an estimated 3,800-4,400 of the animals, which are classified as a big game species in the state and can be hunted. But mountain lion attacks on humans in Colorado are very rare. Colorado Parks and Wildlife said it has recorded 28 attacks since 1990, with the last fatal incident occurring in 1999, when a three-year-old was killed.

Officials described the area as remote and heavily wooded, noting that mountain lions are more visible during winter months as they follow deer and elk to lower elevations. 

“This is an area where mountain lions are really common, along with a lot of other wildlife like bears and moose,” Van Hoose said. “Because mountain lion are really common in this area, we do expect to have conflicts with regular things like sightings or encounters with dogs.”

The agency advises hikers to make noise, appear larger and slowly back away if they encounter a mountain lion, and to keep pets leashed while on trails.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.