DNA analysis confirms cougar euthanized near North Bend, WA. had attacked two bicyclists

[PearliePoo2]

https://wdfw.wa.gov/news/jul2518a/

snip:
OLYMPIA – DNA analysis by scientists at the University of California Davis has confirmed that the cougar euthanized by wildlife officials on May 19 was the same animal that attacked two bicyclists earlier that day near North Bend, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today."

WDFW Capt. Alan Myers said the laboratory analysis confirmed that DNA from animal hair found on one of the victims was identical to that contained in muscle tissue taken from the cougar.

Lab report from University California, Davis here: https://wdfw.wa.gov/news/attach/jul2518a.pdf

National Geographic article here:
https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/05/fatal-cougar-attack-washington-sj-brooks-isaac-sederbaum-animals/

Cougar That Killed Cyclist Was Underweight, Likely Desperate
A rare fatal encounter in Washington State, which left another mountain biker injured, may point to wider questions about our evolving coexistence with big predators."

So sad and awful for all involved, cougar and man.

I once encountered a cougar while camping in Eastern Washington. We heard him/her before we saw the animal.
It sounded just like a human infant crying. It was the weirdest, hair-raising sound that was coming from the trees! Moments later, a white-tail deer came bolting out of the forest, jumped a creek and was leaping and running at an unbelievable speed. The cougar was in hot pursuit! Both disappeared from view, so I don't know the outcome (and we weren't going to go looking!)
I decided it would be a good time to get my pistol out of my pack, put it in its holster and keep it there! And I made sure my dog was close by at all times too!

[cilla4progress]

1. I live in E. Washington and family have seen cougars in our 'hood

Never worried too much about it, as always knew and recited story that there had only been one "death by cougar" on record in state, back in @ 1920s in Methow Valley area.

Also, wildlife in our remote area always seems to want to get as far away as possible from humans (can you blame them?)

Very sad.

[PearliePoo2]

3. This encounter happened on property I once owned up near Bonaparte Lake!

That was the first and only time I've ever seen a cougar. We often saw lots of black bears up there though!

A few years ago, a bicyclist was attacked near the Elwha River on the Olympic Peninsula. This young guy was in really good shape, he had been a star wrestler in college, so he was able to successfully fight off the cougar. He said he had his hands around the animal's throat and was squeezing as hard as he could until the animal's eyes started to close. He described it as trying to choke a piece of firewood (the neck being so solid and strong). The cougar finally jumped off him and ran away. I saw photos of this kid in the hospital all bandaged up from gouges and bites to his chest and arms!

[cilla4progress]

5. Wow! Yes - definitely many attacks,

but only one other death.

[Phoenix61]

2. I've heard that sound once in my life

I thought the saying "made the hair in the back of my neck stand up" was hyperbole. Nope, apparently not.

[PearliePoo2]

4. Oh yeah! DANGER...DANGER! And it's nearby!

When we heard the crying, we looked at each other and said, "What the HELL was that?"

We were pretty sure there weren't any newborn babies in the thick woods behind us!