Man attacked by lion near Libby

A man reported being attacked by a mountain lion on Friday morning while he was cutting firewood north of Libby, according to a press release from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

The man was able to scare the lion off after receiving scratches to his face and stomach. He did not seek medical attention for the minor injuries, the release states.

The attack occurred while the man was bent over, hooking up a chain to drag a log out of the area where he was cutting firewood, near Boundary Mountain. He told state game wardens and Forest Service law enforcement officers that he was struck from the side and knocked into a tree.

He then struck the animal and retreated to his truck after it ran off, the release states. As he returned to his truck he saw a mountain lion walking back toward him, and was able to scare if off again with his vehicle.

A search for the mountain lion with trained hounds failed to locate the animal by 11 p.m. Saturday, and the search was called off. Game cameras set up at the scene of the attack also failed to capture any images of a mountain lion, according to the press release.

Fish, Wildlife and Parks warns those recreating outdoors to travel in groups and carry bear spray to deter mountain lions, and to keep children nearby while hiking through forests in Northwest Montana.

“If a lion threatens, experts say to make your image large and fight back if attacked,” the department’s release states, also asking “people to report any encounters with mountain lions or any unnatural behavior displayed by mountain lions as soon as possible.“

For more information visit fwp.mt.gov/recreation/safety/wildlife/lion/lionBehave.html.