A 5-year-old boy was airlifted to a hospital on September 1st with significant but non-life-threatening injuries after he was attacked by a mountain lion in Southern California’s Malibu Creek State Park.
The boy was picnicking with his family at the Tapia Day Use Area of the park when the mountain lion attacked. Adults charged the lion who released the boy and retreated to a tree.
The mountain lion remained in the tree until State Parks rangers arrived. The rangers consulted with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the cat was “threat to public safety” and a ranger euthanized it with a firearm.
The child is recovering from his injuries and no one else was injured.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife Statement:
California State Parks (State Parks) rangers and Los Angeles County Sheriff Deputies responded to a report of a mountain lion attack at Malibu Creek State Park on Sunday, September 1, at 4:21 p.m. California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) wildlife officers, National Park Service personnel, and Los Angeles Fire and Rescue also responded.
A family group from Woodland Hills was having a picnic at Malibu Creek State Park, consisting of at least six adults and a few children. The children were playing in the immediate vicinity of the family’s picnic table when a mountain lion attacked a 5-year-old boy, causing significant but non-life-threatening injuries. One or more adults charged at the lion, and it released the boy. Multiple witnesses saw the attack and observed the mountain lion climb up a nearby tree.
The lion remained in the tree until State Parks rangers arrived. In consultation with CDFW wildlife officers, they deemed the mountain lion a threat to public safety and a ranger euthanized it via firearm.
The boy was airlifted to the Northridge Hospital Medical Center for treatment of his injuries and was eventually released in the early morning hours of Monday, September 2.
Per standard protocol, wildlife officers contacted the victim and family at the hospital to obtain evidence samples from the bite and scratch wounds and the victim’s clothing. Those evidence samples were confirmed a DNA match by CDFW’s Wildlife Forensic Lab in Sacramento.
CDFW and State Parks officials are thankful that the family is safe, and the child is recovering and no one else was injured.
images from santamonicamtns