Big Cat Was Seen Stalking The Hiker On A Trail Near Colfax, CA

A hiker who was being stalked by a mountain lion and made a "frantic" 911 call got help from a California Highway Patrol helicopter crew who managed to chase the animal away by making a low pass over the area.

The hiker was on Stevens Trail near Colfax, CA, in the Sierra foothills, according to a report appearing on television station KTVU. When the CHP aircraft arrived, the crew saw the hiker "waving a flashlight" just 20 feet from the animal. The CHP crew decided to make the low pass to see if it would scare the big cat away.

It worked. The animal ran deeper into the woods and the hiker manged to reach safety.

Later, the station reports that a state game warden went to post a warning sign about the animal in the area when he said it appeared it was about to attack him. The game warden shot and killed the animal, according to the Sacramento Bee.

A spokesman for the California Fish and Wildlife service said the game warden's actions were justified, as the animal was a risk to both the individual and the public.

FMI: www.chp.ca.gov/depts_divs_offs/oao.html