A terrifying event turned a holiday picnic traumatic when a five-year-old boy was attacked by a mountain lion over Labor Day Weekend.
According to California Fish and Wildlife officials, at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, a young mountain lion came out from under the brush and grabbed the five-year-old by the head causing significant injuries. Multiple adults rushed to aid the young boy with the child’s father successfully pushing the approximately 50 lb. mountain lion off the boy. California State Park Rangers and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene. The child was airlifted to Northridge Hospital and is expected to fully recover.
After the attack, the lion remained in a nearby tree, indicating to officials it was likely to attack again at which time was deemed a threat to public safety by state park rangers and California Fish and Wildlife officers. A State Parks ranger fatally shot the animal.
The lion was uncollared and not being tracked by wildlife experts.
Local Malibu residents and activists expressed outrage on The Local Malibu Instagram regarding the euthanizing of the lion by firearm rather than tranquilizing and relocating the animal.
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