A mountain lion attacked a 5-year-old boy during a family picnic in Los Angeles County over the holiday weekend, as confirmed by state wildlife officials.
The incident took place on Sunday at around 4:30 p.m. in the Tapia Park picnic area within Malibu Creek State Park. The boy was playing near a picnic table with other children when the mountain lion attacked, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Adults present at the picnic rushed toward the lion, causing it to release the boy. A woman, who identified herself as the boy’s aunt but wished to remain unnamed, told KTLA that the boy’s father confronted the mountain lion. She described how the father ran towards the child after hearing someone scream his name, grabbed the animal, and fought it until it let go.
A California family’s Labor Day weekend picnic turned into a terrifying ordeal when a mountain lion attacked a 5-year-old boy and tried to drag him into the woods, prompting his relatives to rescue him from the wild animal’s jaws, authorities said.https://t.co/jum0Z8tLxW
— Good Morning America (@GMA) September 3, 2024
The boy was airlifted to Northridge Hospital Medical Center for treatment and was discharged on Monday morning. He sustained significant but non-life-threatening injuries.
Authorities located the mountain lion in a nearby tree where it had fled after the attack. Park rangers and wildlife officers assessed the situation and deemed the animal a threat to public safety. A ranger subsequently euthanized the lion using a firearm.
Richard Fink, California State Parks Superintendent, mentioned that the lion appeared to be lingering, potentially posing a danger to humans again. Including this recent incident, there have been 25 documented mountain lion attacks in California since 1986, four of which were fatal.
A mountain lion attacked a 5-year-old boy at a family picnic in Malibu earlier this week, and deputies euthanized the lion, state Fish and Wildlife officials say.https://t.co/cdW7gBDsE7
— KCAL News (@kcalnews) September 3, 2024
Mountain lions, also known as pumas, cougars, and panthers, are a “specially protected” species in California. The population of these animals is considered stable across the state, according to the wildlife agency.
What Other Media Are Saying
- FOX23 Maine reports on a 5-year-old boy attacked by a mountain lion during a family picnic near Los Angeles, prompting the euthanization of the animal due to public safety concerns.(read more)
- CNN reports that a mountain lion attacked a 5-year-old boy at Malibu Creek State Park, with authorities euthanizing the cougar after the incident.(read more)
- KTLA reports a mountain lion attacked a 5-year-old boy at Malibu Creek State Park, causing serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The boy was airlifted to hospital and later released.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What happened to the 5-year-old boy attacked by a mountain lion?
The boy suffered significant but non-life-threatening injuries and was released from the hospital the next morning.
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 did the authorities do after the mountain lion attack?
They located the mountain lion up a nearby tree and euthanized it, deeming it a public safety threat.
How rare are mountain lion attacks in California?
The state wildlife agency has documented 25 mountain lion attacks since 1986, including four fatal ones.
Are mountain lions protected in California?
Yes, mountain lions are considered a ‘specially protected’ species in California.