Three mountain lions were killed in Pima Canyon overnight after feeding on human remains discovered Tuesday morning, the Arizona Game and Fish Department says.
During the removal of the remains, the mountain lions “repeatedly showed no fear of responding officers,” and were said to be a danger to the public, a department news release said.
The mountain lions are not suspected of killing the victim, officials said, adding that the removal was due to the animals’ behavior.
It was determined the animals were eating the remains about 50 yards away from the popular hiking trail, officials added.
The area was closed Tuesday to protect the public while officials attempted to trap the mountain lions that “recently interacted with humans,” the U.S. Forest Service said.
Coronado National Forest officials reopened the trail and surrounding area Wednesday morning after a recommendation by the Game and Fish Department. Authorities initially said the trail could be closed until Jan. 14.
Authorities first responded to the trail near North First Avenue and East Magee Road about 7 a.m. Tuesday, confirming that the remains were found shortly after noon, according to Deputy James Allerton, a Pima County Sheriff’s Department spokesman.
The Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner is working to identify the remains and determine a cause of death with an autopsy scheduled for Thursday.
Photos: Pima Canyon trail in the Santa Catalina Mountains
Pima Canyon Trail
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Patrick Knoth, of Green Vally, enjoys the hike along the Pima Canyon Trail on March 13, 2018, in Tucson, Ariz. The trailhead is at 1610 E. Magee Road.
Pima Canyon Trail
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Views along the Pima Canyon Trail on March 13, 2018, in Tucson, Ariz. The trailhead is at 1610 E. Magee Road.
Pima Canyon Trail
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A marker for the Pima Canyon Trail on March 13, 2018, in Tucson, Ariz. The trailhead is at 1610 E. Magee Road.
Pima Canyon Trail
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A stoic saguaro cactus along the Pima Canyon Trail on March 13, 2018, in Tucson, Ariz. The trailhead is at 1610 E. Magee Road.
Pima Canyon Trail
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Hikers created this rock cairn along the Pima Canyon Trail on March 13, 2018, in Tucson, Ariz. The trailhead is at 1610 E. Magee Road.
Pima Canyon Trail
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Views along the Pima Canyon Trail on March 13, 2018, in Tucson, Ariz. The trailhead is at 1610 E. Magee Road.
Pima Canyon Trail
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Views along the Pima Canyon Trail on March 13, 2018, in Tucson, Ariz. The trailhead is at 1610 E. Magee Road.
Pima Canyon Trail
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Views from the Pima Canyon Trail looking southwest on March 13, 2018, in Tucson, Ariz. The trailhead is at 1610 E. Magee Road.
Pima Canyon Trail
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Views along the Pima Canyon Trail looking south on March 13, 2018, in Tucson, Ariz. The trailhead is at 1610 E. Magee Road.
Pima Canyon Trail
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Stacks of saguaros along the Pima Canyon Trail on March 13, 2018, in Tucson, Ariz. The trailhead is at 1610 E. Magee Road.
Pima Canyon Trail
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The Tucson Mormon Temple as viewed from the Pima Canyon Trail on March 13, 2018, in Tucson, Ariz. The trailhead is at 1610 E. Magee Road.
Pima Canyon Trail in Santa Catalina Mountains
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Pima Canyon Trail in 2012.
Pima Canyon Trail in Santa Catalina Mountains
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One of the nearly completed luxury homes that caught fire and burned late Monday night in an aerial photo Tuesday, June 12th, 2001 burned to the foundation. Four homes in Pima Canyon Estates were set ablaze. Damage was at least $2 million. The initials CSP, which stand for Coalition to Save the Preserves, were found painted at the fire scenes and similar fires in the Phoenix area from 1998-2001..
Pima Canyon Trail in Santa Catalina Mountains
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These two under-construction luxury homes that were set afire are near the Pima Canyon trailhead on June 11, 2001. Four homes in Pima Canyon Estates were set ablaze. Damage was at least $2 million. The initials CSP, which stand for Coalition to Save the Preserves, were found painted at the fire scenes and similar fires in the Phoenix area from 1998-2001..
Pima Canyon Trail in Santa Catalina Mountains
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The Catalina Mountains provide a backdrop for the foothills where up to five luxury homes caught fire and burned late on June 11, 2001. Four homes in Pima Canyon Estates were set ablaze. Damage was at least $2 million. The initials CSP, which stand for Coalition to Save the Preserves, were found painted at the fire scenes and similar fires in the Phoenix area from 1998-2001..
Pima Canyon Trail in Santa Catalina Mountains
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Light snow tops the Santa Catalina Mountains near the Pima Canyon trailhead in February, 2012.
Pima Canyon Trail in Santa Catalina Mountains
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Snow blankets the upper reaches of Pima Canyon in the Santa Catalina Mountains. Photo taken from Village Ave. near Magee Road on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010.
Pima Canyon Trail in Santa Catalina Mountains
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As Jack Hanna releases the hatch at right, three of the 14 bighorn sheep dart into the desert as they're released into the Santa Catalina mountains on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014, near Pima Canyon in Tucson, Ariz. Three rams and 11 ewes were released just after dawn.
Pima Canyon
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The Bighorn Fire consumes thick vegetation in crags above Pima Canyon within the Santa Catalina Mountains in Coronado National Forest north of Tucson on June 9, 2020.
Pima Canyon Trail
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A sign at the entrance to the Pima Canyon Trail warns hikers of dangers after the Bighorn Fire damages hiking areas on September 30, 2020.
Pima Canyon Trail
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Clouds clearing above Pima Canyon in the Santa Catalina Mountains reveal snow on March 13, 2021.
