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Washington Woman Nearly Killed by Cougar During Bike Tour But Her Friends Fought Back for 45 Minutes and Saved Her Life

woman nearly killed by cougar
Image by Keri Bergere

Five friends were out for a bike ride, which they often do, but on this day, their tour took a dramatic turn. One of the women was attacked and nearly killed by a cougar. Had it not been for her four amazing and strong friends, she probably wouldn’t be alive today.

The Start of a Scenic Ride

woman nearly killed by cougar
Keri and two o the friends that saved her life. Image by KING 5 Seattle via YouTube

On February 17, 2024, five competitive cyclists, all women in their 50s and 60s, met at the Tokul Creek trail north of Snoqualmie. It was a sunny day with puffy clouds on the horizon, perfect for a bike ride through the Pacific Northwest’s lush landscapes.

A Group Selfie at the Yellow Gate

woman nearly killed by cougar
Keri and her friends recounting the story. Image by KING 5 Seattle via YouTube

Before heading into the forest, the women paused at the yellow gate for a group selfie. Little did they know, this would be a photo taken just moments before their peaceful ride turned into a life-threatening ordeal.

Watch the interview with these incredible friends here

Encounter with a Young Cougar

woman nearly killed by cougar
Image by Keri Bergere

Nineteen miles into their ride, the cyclists came face-to-face with two cougars. The first cougar, likely the mother or a sibling, quickly ran off. However, the younger one hesitated and then lunged at 60-year-old Keri Bergere, knocking her off her bike and into a shallow ditch.

A Desperate Fight for Survival

woman nearly killed by cougar
Image by KING 5 Seattle via YouTube

As the cougar attacked, Bergere’s friends sprang into action, using rocks and sticks to fend off the animal. Despite their efforts, the cougar maintained a vice grip on Bergere, who could feel her bones crushing and blood filling her mouth.

Watch the video here

The Boulder’s Final Blow

cougar
Portrait of a cougar, mountain lion, puma, panther, striking a pose on a fallen tree, Winter scene in the woods, wildlife America. Image via Depositphotos

Auna Tietz, one of the cyclists, found a 25-pound boulder and dropped it on the cougar’s head multiple times. After an intense 45-minute struggle, the cougar finally released Bergere, allowing her to escape to the middle of the trail, where she collapsed from exhaustion.

Help Arrives Just in Time

Mountain lion
Portrait of Beautiful Puma in autumn forest. American cougar – mountain lion, striking pose, scene in the woods, wildlife America. Image by Baranov_Evgenii via depositphotos.com

Officer Chris Moszeter from the Fish & Wildlife Police arrived on the scene 30 minutes later. He instructed the women to pin the cougar down with a bike before he shot the animal, ending the harrowing ordeal. Bergere was rushed to the hospital and is now recovering.

Understanding Cougar Behavior

mountain lion
Cougar. Image by Nicky Pe via Pexels

Cougars, also known as mountain lions or pumas, are typically reclusive and avoid human contact. In Washington state, there have only been 20 recorded attacks on humans in the last century, with just two resulting in fatalities.

Safety Tips for Cougar Encounters

cougar
A Cougar Sits Under a Tree For a Rest. Image via Depositphotos

Experts advise making yourself big and loud if you encounter a cougar. Shouting, waving your arms, and throwing objects can often scare off these predators. In the rare event of an attack, fight back aggressively and try to stay on your feet.

The Psychological Impact of Wildlife Attacks

Cougar
Close up image of a Cougar Image by Nicky Pe via Pexels

Surviving a wildlife attack can have lasting psychological effects. Victims often experience anxiety, nightmares, and a heightened sense of vulnerability. Support from friends, family, and mental health professionals is crucial for recovery.

Rebuilding Confidence After an Attack

cougar vs. wolf
Image via Pixabay

For outdoor enthusiasts like Bergere, rebuilding confidence to return to nature can be a significant part of the healing process. Gradual exposure, positive experiences, and strong support networks are essential for overcoming fear.

The Importance of Emergency Preparedness

cougar
Image via Pixabay

This incident underscores the importance of being prepared for emergencies while exploring the wilderness. Carrying first aid kits, communication devices, and knowledge of local wildlife can make a significant difference in critical situations.

Cougar Habitats in the Pacific Northwest

Mountain lion
Image via Depositphotos

The dense forests and mountainous regions of the Pacific Northwest provide ideal habitats for cougars. Understanding these environments and respecting the wildlife that inhabits them is crucial for coexistence.

The Ethics of Wildlife Encounters

Mountain lion
Image via Depositphotos

The ethical considerations of wildlife encounters, especially those resulting in harm to the animal, are complex. Balancing human safety with the preservation of wildlife is a delicate and ongoing challenge.

The Legacy of Courage and Friendship

cougar vs. wolf
Image via depositphotos

The courage and determination displayed by Bergere and her friends during the cougar attack have left a lasting legacy. Their story serves as a powerful reminder of the strength found in friendship and the human will to survive.

Celebrating Life and Nature

cougar
Image via Pixabay

As Bergere recovers, she and her friends continue to celebrate life and their love for nature. Their experience, though harrowing, has deepened their appreciation for the beauty and unpredictability of the wild.

Stealthy Predators with Incredible Agility

cougars
By National Park Service – https://www.nps.gov/media/photo/gallery.htm?id=F2A12E7F-155D-451F-679DDC3CE3B7367E, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=70191066

Cougars are known for their stealth and agility. They can leap as far as 40 feet in a single bound and reach speeds of up to 50 miles per hour. Their muscular bodies and long tails help them maintain balance while navigating rocky terrain and dense forests.

Silent Stalkers with Keen Senses

Image via Depositphotos

Cougars are solitary and elusive, relying on their keen senses to stalk prey silently. Their excellent night vision and acute hearing make them formidable nocturnal hunters. These big cats can detect the slightest movements and sounds, giving them a significant advantage in the wild.

Mysterious Communication Methods

Mountain lion
Image via Depositphotos

While cougars are generally silent, they have a range of vocalizations for communication. These include growls, hisses, and a unique scream-like call, often compared to a woman’s scream. They also use scent marking and body language to establish territory and communicate with other cougars.

Solitary Nature and Large Territories

Mountain lion on grass
Cougar lion on grass in texas park. Image via Luis Miguel Bugallo Sánchez (Lmbuga), CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Cougars are solitary animals with large territories that can span up to 150 square miles for males and 50 square miles for females. They use these vast ranges to hunt and avoid competition with other cougars, only coming together briefly during mating season.

The Many Names of Cougars

Mountain lion
Cougars are incredibly skilled predators, capable of silently stalking and ambushing their prey with precision.

Image by Jean Paul via Pexels.

Cougars hold the Guinness World Record for the animal with the most names, including mountain lion, puma, panther, and catamount. These names reflect the cougar’s widespread distribution across the Americas and its significant presence in various indigenous cultures and local folklore.

Woman Nearly Killed by Cougar: Conclusion

By Elaine R. Wilson – naturespicsonline, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=91291279

While we have some of our best moments out in nature and wilderness, there’s always the possibility that a normal bike ride can become a fight for your life. Had it not been for this woman’s incredible friends, the headline of this story wouldn’t have read “nearly” killed by cougar. Despite this harrowing incident, neither of these powerful women is letting it get in the way of their love for nature and cycling. After all, now they know they can pretty much handle anything.

Thank you for reading this story about the woman who was nearly killed by a cougar during a bike ride! For more cougar news, take a look here: