Wildlife officials conduct initial necropsy on cougar following fatal attack

Wildlife officials have conducted an initial necropsy on the cougar they believe mauled two mountain bikers, one fatally.

The results should be back in a week.

As part of the investigation, the officials are examining the stomach contents of the cougar.

“We are looking for clothing fibers and other DNA samples we can take out that can match the victims involved in this tragic event,” said Capt. Alan Myers, with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Cougars are common in the area. Myers said there are 2,000 cougars in the state.

But Myers said attacks on humans are extremely rare.

KIRO 7 asked if the cougar saw the cyclists as a food source.

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“Certainly, we think the cougar was looking for some food because it did appear to be underweight,” Myers said.

According to Myers, the cougar was 3 or 4 years old. He was emaciated and weighed about 100 pounds. Male cougars typically weigh 140-180 pounds.

Myers said that cougars are very territorial.

“If this is a younger cougar that had been pushed off of another territory by a more dominant male, he could be having a difficult time trying to find new food sources in the territory (he was) pushed to,” Myers said.

Cougars are solitary and aloof. They typically hunt at night, which makes the mauling in broad daylight on Saturdya even more concerning.

Myers is hoping the necropsy will provide some answers.

“Many factors are at play here, including disease or injury that occurred that may have contributed to this cougar not getting enough food,” Myers said.

Cox Media Group