A five-year-old boy began home recovery on today (3rd) after being attacked by a mountain lion at Malibu Creek State Park in Calabasas. The incident saw the mountain lion grabbing his head and attempting to drag him away.
According to the city news agency, the attack occurred before 4:30 p.m. on Sunday (September 1st) in the Tapia Park area of the state park.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) reported that on that day, a family from Woodland Hills was picnicking at Malibu Creek State Park, including at least six adults and several children. While the children were playing near the picnic tables, a mountain lion suddenly attacked a five-year-old boy, causing serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Several adults rushed towards the mountain lion, leading to it releasing the boy.
Multiple witnesses saw the attack and observed the mountain lion climbing a nearby tree.
The boy’s aunt told KTLA5 that the boy’s father heard someone shouting the child’s name, ran over, and then grabbed the mountain lion with his hands, struggling until the lion released the boy.
Officials of the CDFW stated that the mountain lion stayed in the tree until park rangers arrived.
Following consultations with CDFW wildlife officials, they deemed the mountain lion a threat to public safety, leading to the rangers euthanizing it.
The injured boy was taken to Northridge Hospital Medical Center for treatment and eventually discharged. However, his family mentioned that due to complications arising from the eye injury, the boy had to return to the hospital.
Malibu Creek State Park is located within the Santa Monica Mountains and served as the former site of the 20th Century Fox Movie Ranch in the 20th century. It was also the filming location of the TV series “M*A*S*H.”