Jogger kills attacking mountain lion with his 'bare, bleeding hands'

A Colorado jogger survived an attack by a young mountain lion by suffocating the animal to death, the Denver Post reported, citing state Parks and Wildlife officers following a necropsy.

The mountain lion attacked the unidentified runner from behind Monday on Horsetooth Mountain in Larimer County, biting and injuring the man who fought for his life, the paper said.

Rebecca Ferrell, spokeswoman for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, told the Post the jogger heard something behind him, turned, and saw the mountain lion pounce for his head and neck.

The animal bit him on the face and wrist, she added to the paper, but the victim partially blocked the attack with his forearms. He fought with the mountain lion, broke free, and then counter-attacked by getting on top of it, Ferrell added to the Post.

The Post said the man killed the mountain lion "with his bare, bleeding hands," citing officials.

"It's an amazing story. Everyone is baffled and impressed," Ferrell told the paper. "He had no weapons, no knives, or trekking poles with him. How did he do it? It's pretty rare. That is definitely a twist on this, I'm sure."

The jogger was still in the hospital Tuesday receiving medical care, she added to the Post.