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Mountain biker killed by cougar on Cascade Mountains trail, another injured

Two mountain bikers were stalked and attacked by a cougar in Washington state.

The cougar, also commonly known as the mountain lion, puma, panther, or catamount, is a large felid of the subfamily Felinae native to the Americas.

The cougar, also commonly known as the mountain lion, puma, panther, or catamount, is a large felid of the subfamily Felinae native to the Americas.

A mountain biker in Washington state is dead after being attacked by a cougar on a ride with a friend. The pair were out on a morning ride in the Cascade Mountains, 48 km east of Seattle on Saturday morning when the attack took place.

One male was pronounced dead at the scene while the other was brought to a local hospital according to the Seattle Times.

The state’s Fish and Wildlife found the cougar up a tree near where the attack took place. Police from the state’s Fish and Wildlife police shot and killed the cougar hours after the attack.

Police later described the deadly encounter. “They were riding when they saw a cougar, kind of stalking them. They did what they were supposed to, which is make noise and distract the cougar. The cougar ran away,” said Sgt. Ryan Abbott of the King County Sheriff’s Office.

The surviving mountain biker went on to recount the attack to police. “They talked about how scary it was,” said Abbott. After retreating the cougar returned.

“He jumped the first victim and attacked him,” said Abbott. “The second victim turned and started to run away. The cougar saw that and went after the second victim. The first victim saw his friend being pulled by the cougar. He got on his bike and started to bike away.”

The surviving mountain biker had to ride about three kilometres before being able to get within cell range to call 911.

The police then returned to the scene to find the cougar on top of the victim. It was scared away before being found with the help of police hounds. The officers then shot and killed the animal.