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Authorities said DNA samples collected from the scene matched the deceased lion.

Mountain lion attacks on humans are rare in California, authorities said. According to state fish and wildlife officials, the last recorded fatal mountain lion attack in California occurred in January 2004, when a 35-year-old cyclist was killed on a trail in Orange County, authorities said.

The last fatal mountain lion attack in El Dorado County occurred in April 1994, when a 40-year-old woman was killed in the Auburn State Recreation Area, according to officials.

Since 1890, fewer than 50 mountain lion attacks on humans have been reported in California, including six that have been fatal, officials said.

In February, a group of cyclists near Seattle, Washington, were credited with saving a fellow rider's life by fighting off a cougar that attacked her on a trail, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The scary wildlife-human encounter happened near Fall City, Washington, about 25 miles southeast of Seattle and left the 60-year-old rider, Keri Bergere, hospitalized with serious injuries, officials said. Four other cyclists were hurt when they rushed to save Bergere, who suffered injuries to her face, neck and jaw.

\"I just think all the time how I could be dead if my four ladies that I was with didn't jump in and save my life,\" Bergere said in an interview with ABC News last week. \"We all fought out there, but I could not have done it on my own.\"

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