A New Mexico man is recovering after being attacked by a mountain lion on a remote reservation in Arizona, animal control officials said.

On March 16, a mountain lion approached a rafting group in a remote area of ​​the White Mountain Apache Reserve and attacked a 64-year-old man, said Gila County Animal Control Program Manager JC Castaneda. news release.

According to Castaneda, the attack was “particularly remote in the White Mountain Apache Nation on the north side of the Salt River, 21 miles downstream from the Salt River Bridge.”

During the attack, ten other rafters attempted to use paddles to repel the cougar, but were eventually able to keep the cougar at bay as other campers rafted to safety. rice field.

The victim has recovered from the attack and “is fine, but the pain from the attack is still there,” Castaneda said.

Authorities are urging caution as the hunt for the puma continues. The White Mountain Apache tribe brought hounds to follow the cougar’s tracks from the site of the attack to another area in hopes of locating the mountain lion, which has not been located as of Wednesday. Dispatched his group of USDA hunters. Castaneda.