A family begins their hike at Pima Canyon Trail on January 2nd, 2020. Three mountain lions were killed under orders from Arizona Game and Fish Department after feeding on human remains.

 Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star

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.

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Contact Star reporter Shaq Davis at 573-4218 or sdavis@tucson.com

On Twitter: @ShaqDavis1