Family picnic in California state park turns into nightmare after 5-year-old attacked by mountain lion

LOS ANGELES – A horrific incident occurred at a California state park over Labor Day weekend when a mountain lion attacked a young boy during a family picnic.

California State Parks rangers and Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department officers responded to the reported attack late Sunday afternoon at Malibu Creek State Park in Calabasas in the Santa Monica Mountains.

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According to authorities, the Woodland Hills family consisted of at least six adults and several children who were playing in close proximity to the family's picnic table when a mountain lion attacked a 5-year-old boy, causing significant but non-life-threatening injuries.

According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), adults intervened, causing the lion to release the child and climb a nearby tree.

The mountain lion, which remained in the tree after the attack, was later shot by a ranger after state park rangers and CDFW game wardens deemed the lion a public safety threat.

The boy was flown by helicopter to a nearby hospital and finally released the next day.

“CDFW and State Parks officials are thankful that the family is safe, the child is recovering and no one else was injured,” state wildlife officials said.

Game wardens found evidence on the victim's injuries and clothing. Laboratory tests confirmed that the DNA on the tracks matched that of the mountain lion.

Source of the original article: Family picnic in California state park turns into nightmare after 5-year-old attacked by mountain lion