Skeletal remains of a cow

No problem, Jemma! :D I also agree with Emily.

Could have been a predator, disease, starvation or an illness. There are many possible reasons for death. It's hard to tell cause of death when remains are this decomposed. Predators/scavengers could have eaten the cow after it's death as well.

Thank you, Hazel!

Probably a mountain lion. This picture is very interesting!

yes there is cattle around owned by descendants of original mining family. What brought such a big animal down? Mountain lion?

At first glance, the big bulky frame and large wide bones makes me think that this is a bovine skeleton, most likely a cow! Are there grazing cattle near by? Or is there agricultural land near by?