A family from Southern California experienced a frightening event during their Labor Day weekend picnic when a mountain lion attacked a 5-year-old boy and attempted to drag him into the woods. Relatives managed to save the child from the animal’s jaws, according to authorities.
The incident occurred at 4:21 p.m. local time on Sunday in Malibu Creek State Park, approximately 30 miles northwest of Los Angeles. The child sustained “significant but non-life-threatening injuries,” as stated by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The family, consisting of six adults and several children from Woodland Hills, California, was having a picnic in the Santa Monica Mountains. The cougar suddenly emerged and grabbed the boy in front of his horrified family and witnesses, according to the statement.
Fish and wildlife officials reported that the children were playing near the family’s picnic table when the mountain lion attacked. Adults immediately charged at the lion, causing it to release the boy.
The unnamed child suffered bite and scratch wounds and was airlifted to Northridge Hospital Medical Center for treatment. He was later released.
Multiple witnesses saw the attack and observed the cougar climb a nearby tree, the Department of Fish and Wildlife stated.
State park rangers and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies found the mountain lion still in the tree upon arrival. The CDFW classified the animal as a public safety threat, and park rangers euthanised it by shooting.
Following standard protocol, wildlife officers collected evidence samples of the bite and scratch wounds from the child and his clothing at Northridge Hospital Medical Center. The CDFW’s Wildlife Forensic Lab in Sacramento confirmed a DNA match from these samples.
This incident follows the death of a 21-year-old man who was killed by a cougar in May in Northern California’s El Dorado National Forest, around 52 miles northeast of Sacramento. It was the first fatal mountain lion attack in the state in 20 years.
Since 1890, fewer than 50 mountain lion attacks on humans have been reported in California, with six resulting in fatalities, according to officials.
What Other Media Are Saying
- USA Today reports that a 5-year-old boy was attacked by a mountain lion at Malibu Creek State Park in Calabasas, California, leading to the euthanization of the cougar. (read more)
- AP News reports on a cougar attack on a 5-year-old boy at Malibu Creek State Park, leading to the animal’s euthanization. (read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What happened to the boy attacked by the mountain lion in Malibu Creek State Park?
He suffered significant but non-life-threatening injuries and was treated and released from Northridge Hospital Medical Center.
How did the family react to the mountain lion attack?
One or more adults charged at the lion, causing it to release the boy.
What happened to the mountain lion after the attack?
The mountain lion was euthanized by park rangers, who deemed it a threat to public safety.
How was it confirmed that the mountain lion attacked the boy?
DNA evidence from the boy’s bite and scratch wounds matched the mountain lion.
How rare are mountain lion attacks in California?
Since 1890, fewer than 50 mountain lion attacks on humans have been reported in California.