Runner chokes mountain lion to death with his bare hands after being attacked

An unarmed runner avoided death by choking a mountain lion to death after it attacked him.

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife confirmed the incident on Twitter.

The unidentified runner came upon the lion, which was said to weigh 80 pounds while jogging along a natural trail through the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

“We know the interest level in yesterday's incident between a trail runner and mountain lion is high. We are still completing our investigation and reports, and will have additional information soon,” the group tweeted.

“We can let you know that the runner is doing well considering his ordeal, and will need a few days to decompress before deciding if he will speak publicly. We hope you all can appreciate and respect why he needs this time,” it added.

"NEGATIVE FOR RABIES"

The group also confirmed that the lion was less than a year old. “We may be able to determine age a bit more tightly in the final reports. The cat also tested negative for rabies, which is very welcome news,” another tweet reads.

The unidentified runner came upon the lion, which was said to weigh 80 pounds while jogging along a natural trail through the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

DEATH BY STRANGULATION

Although the runner, who is in his early 30s, survived the encounter, he got bite wounds on his face and wrist. In a rare story of survival, the runner managed to kill the big cat by strangulation. This was confirmed by a necropsy performed on the animal.

Many runners are drawn each year to the West Ridge Trail at Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, a 2,700-acre park near Fort Collins, Colorado.

Mark Leslie, the manager for the northeast region of Colorado Parks and Wildlife advise runners to take extra precaution.

“In the event of a lion attack, you need to do anything in your power to fight back just as this gentleman did,” he said.

In a similar story, a tourist had an almost-tragic encounter with a wild lion. He was caught on video trying to pet the lion, but the latter wasn’t pleased, baring its teeth.