A 5-year-old boy is recovering in the hospital after being attacked by a mountain lion at Malibu Creek State Park Sunday, officials confirmed to KTLA.
The terrifying ordeal unfolded just before 4:30 p.m. as a family group from Woodland Hills were picnicking at Tapia Park, according to a statement from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Several children were playing near the family’s picnic site, where at least six adults were present, when the mountain lion attacked the boy, grabbing him by the head and starting to run.
The victim’s aunt, who did not want to be identified, spoke to KTLA’s Sandra Mitchell about the incident by phone.
“Somebody screamed the baby’s name, and his dad started running,” she explained. “The father grabbed the mountain lion with his hands, and he just fought. Then the mountain lion let go.”
About 40 people in the immediate vicinity witnessed the dangerous incident, some even telling KTLA that the large mountain lion appeared brazen and unafraid during the attack.
California State Park Rangers, along with deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, CDFW officers and paramedics with the Los Angeles Fire and Rescue responded to the scene.
The boy was airlifted to Northridge Hospital Medical Center for treatment of his injuries and was released late last evening. The family has since returned to the hospital due to complications with injuries to the child’s eyes.
His current condition was not immediately available.
State Park rangers and officers with CDFW were able to locate the lion on Sunday, which was still up in the tree that witnesses saw the animal run to.
“In consultation with CDFW wildlife officers, they deemed the mountain lion a threat to public safety and a ranger euthanized it via firearm,” the release said.
Wildlife officers contacted the victim’s family at the hospital, per standard procedure, to collect evidence of the attack, such as samples from the bite and scratch wounds and the child’s clothing.
Forensic testing conducted by CDFW at a lab in Sacramento found matching DNA from the mountain lion and evidence collected from the victim.
“CDFW and State Park officials are thankful that the family is safe, and the child is recovering and no one else was injured,” the release noted.