Woman, 65, Saves Husband, 70, from Mountain Lion Attack

A normal hike in a California state park turned near fatal when a 70-year-old man was attacked by a mountain lion. What saved him from certain death? A pen, a branch, and his feisty 65-year-old wife.

Jim Hamm of Fortuna, CA, and his wife, Nell, were enjoying a hike at the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park near the California north coast when a female mountain lion suddenly pounced on him. His wife, walking ahead of him was unaware of the attack at first until she heard him call for help. Nell Hamm quickly attacked the lion with whatever she could get her hands on as Jim's head was in the lion's mouth.

Nell first grabbed a branch and began to beat the mountain lion, but it wouldn't let Jim go. Jim told her, "I've got a pen in my pocket and get the pen and jab him in the eye,'" she said. "So I got the pen and tried to put it in his eye, but it didn't want to go in as easy as I thought it would."

When the pen failed to work, Nell picked up the log and began to beat the lion again. The mountain lion released its grip, stared at Nell, and slowly walked away as she screamed at it.

Jim Hamm had to undergo major surgery at Mad River Community Hospital in Arcata, California for lacerations on the head and body. He also had to have his upper lip stitched together. He is listed in fair condition.

The attacking lion was later tracked and killed. This was only the 16^th mountain lion attack reported in over 100 years. There are approximately between 4,000 and 6,000 mountain lions in California. Although protected from hunting, people can get permits to shoot lions that are perceived as dangers to humans. Mountain lions rarely attack victims that are not alone.

"For the most part, their natural inclination is to go the other way when humans are around," said Karen Kovaks, a senior wildlife biologist with the California Department of Fish and Game. Park rangers told Jim that had he been alone, he would most likely be dead.

"I feel that Jim and I fought for his life," Nell Hamm said. "We fought harder than we ever have to save his life, and we fought together." The plan to keep their golden anniversary trip in February to New Zealand.