Mountain Lion Attacks Hiker On AT In Virginia

A hiker on the Appalachian Trail in Virginia was attacked by a mountain lion on Friday July 1, 2016. The mountain lion attack was near Humpback Rock in Augusta County near Waynesboro, VA. The Blue Ridge Parkway police called 911 to request assistance at the picnic area of Humpback Rock Friday afternoon. The hiker was reportedly attacked by the mountain lion on the AT at a location about 30 minutes away from the picnic shelter. The male hiker was treated for injuries and was in stable condition.

It is still uncertain that the attack was from a mountain lion. Park officials think the attack was due to a black bear and not a mountain lion. The hiker attacked on Friday was treated for unspecified injuries at Augusta Health in Fishersville, VA. As of Sunday he was in stable condition at the hospital.

There have been sightings of mountain lions in the past in the Shenandoah National Park and other nearby counties in western Virginia. But sightings are not common and attacks are even less common for this area.

Mountain Lion Attacks Hiker on AT in Virginia