Mountain lion attack: Father fights with animal after it snatches child at picnic in California
A family enjoying a picnic in a California park watched in horror as a five-year-old boy was snatched by a mountain lion.
The child was grabbed by the animal as the family and friends enjoyed Labor Day festivities in the Malibu State Creek Park in the US.
The wild animal tried to run off with the child in its mouth after launching the attack, before the father of the boy ran to assist, wrestling with the big cat, and eventually releasing the child from its jaws.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.NBC is reporting the child required hospital treatment after the attack at a picnic in the Santa Monica mountains of Southern California on Sunday following a statement from The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).
‘’A family of six adults and several children from Woodland Hills, California, was having a picnic at the park in the Santa Monica Mountains when the large cougar suddenly appeared and snatched the boy as his family and witnesses watched in horror,’’ the statement said.
“The children were playing in the immediate vicinity of the family’s picnic table when a mountain lion attacked a five-year-old boy.”
Officials said ”one or more adults charged at the lion” and it released the boy. The boy suffered “significant but non-life-threatening injuries.”
“Somebody screamed the baby’s name, and his dad started running,” the boy’s aunt told local news service KTLA.
“The father grabbed the mountain lion with his hands, and he just fought. Then the mountain lion let go.”
The boy was airlifted to Northridge Hospital Medical Center and was released early Monday.
After the attack, witnesses observed the lion climb up a nearby tree, where it remained until California State Parks rangers arrived.
Rangers, in consultation with CDFW wildlife officers, determined the mountain lion was a “threat to public safety” and it was euthanized via firearm by a ranger.
Wildlife officers contacted the victim and the family at the hospital to “obtain evidence samples from the bite and scratch wounds and the victim’s clothing,” the CDFW said. Those samples were a confirmed DNA match by CDFW’s Wildlife Forensic Lab in Sacramento.
An investigation is being led by California State Parks.
