The family of a woman who was killed by a pack of mountain lions have paid tribute to the 'amazing' hiker.
Kristen Marie Kovatch's body was found on a remote trail near Glen Haven, Colorado, on New Year’s Day (1 January), after the animals launched a deadly attack.
A pair of ramblers, who had also headed on a trek along the Crosier Mountain Trail, made the tragic discovery - and chillingly found one of the predators loitering over her body.
The duo managed to scare the big cat away by throwing rocks before rushing over to Kristen, officials said, only to realise that it was too late to save her.
Advert
Two mountain lions, a male and female, were later euthanised by park rangers. It marks the first fatal mountain lion attack in Colorado since 1999, according to the BBC.
There are up to 4,800 of the big cats - which are also known as cougars, pumas or catamounts - in the US state, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW).
It explains that they are most active from dusk to dawn, although they travel and hunt in daylight, while sharing a warning about how they hunt.
"Mountain lions stalk prey and attack with a rush, often from behind," the CPW explains. "Their powerful bite crushes the windpipe of their prey or breaks the neck during a kill.
"Mountain lions drag the carcass to a sheltered spot, covering it with dirt, leaves, or snow. They may return to feed on it over the course of a few days. Generally, they move the carcass and re-cover it after each feeding.
"When they are feeding, mountain lions can be dangerous to people. Mountain lions that have been fed by people or appear 'tame' may unexpectedly become aggressive."
You should 'never approach' a mountain lion - but if you run into one, the CPW suggests 'making yourself appear larger', moving slowly and speaking firmly - while adding 'fight back if attacked'.
"People have fought back successfully with rocks, sticks, caps or jackets, garden tools and their bare hands," it adds.
It is believed that Kristen, 46, faced off against at least four mountain lions during the deadly attack, as CCTV footage captured the animals on the prowl.
An autopsy found that the medical assistant and keen ultramarathon runner, from Fort Collins, had died from asphyxia after one of the lions had compressed her neck, the Larimer County Coroner’s Office said.
After news broke of Kristen's death, her brother Jeffrey Kovatch took to Facebook to pay tribute to his late sibling, saying she 'died doing something she loved'.
"Many of you knew her well, so many of my friends were her friends too," he wrote on 5 January. "She died doing something she loved deeply, hiking and taking in the beauty of Colorado and its public lands.
"I keep hoping this is all just a nightmare I’ll wake up from. Kristen was so loved by our immediate and extended family, her friends, and her coworkers.
"She was an amazing aunt to my three kids, a tender caretaker to my elderly parents, and my baby sister who I will miss dearly. We are still in shock as we try to process this loss.
"Thank you for keeping our family in your thoughts during this incredibly difficult time."
In another post shared on 8 January, Jeffrey informed family and friends of Kristen's funeral arrangements, explaining that a celebration of her life will take place tomorrow (17 January).
"Thank you all so much for your kind words and support during this difficult time," he added.
Olivia Burke