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Lion Drags Boy, 5, By His Head Into Woods; Dad Saves Him
A five-year-old child suffered critical injuries after being mauled by a mountain lion and carried away by his head.
On Sunday, September 1, the boy was playing with a group of children at Malibu Creek State Park in California when a mountain lion approached them.
The beast locked its teeth around the boy’s head and began dragging him toward the neighboring woods.
“It was huge. The mountain lion was not scared at all,” his aunt told KTLA.
When the attack occurred at Tapia Park, there were perhaps forty other persons in the picnic area.
To save his son, the father used only his bare hands to battle the mountain lion while the boy and bystanders screamed out for help.
His aunt added: “Somebody screamed the baby’s name, and the dad started running.
“The father grabbed the mountain lion with his hands and he just fought and then the mountain lion let go.”
The boy was taken to Northridge Hospital Medical Center, where his injuries were deemed non-life threatening.
He received major scrapes and scratches to his face, and his eyes were believed to have been injured during the attack.
The mountain lion was discovered in the area following the incident, where it remained in a tree until State Parks officers arrived.
It was killed by a ranger after being declared a public safety risk, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
California State Parks are currently investigating the attack.
A statement said: “California State Parks (State Parks) rangers and Los Angeles County Sheriff Deputies responded to a report of a mountain lion attack at Malibu Creek State Park on Sunday, September 1, at 4.21pm.
“A family group from Woodland Hills was having a picnic at Malibu Creek State Park, consisting of at least six adults and a few children.
“The children were playing in the immediate vicinity of the family’s picnic table when a mountain lion attacked a 5-year-old boy, causing significant but non-life-threatening injuries.
“One or more adults charged at the lion, and it released the boy. Multiple witnesses saw the attack and observed the mountain lion climb up a nearby tree.
“The lion remained in the tree until State Parks rangers arrived. In consultation with CDFW wildlife officers, they deemed the mountain lion a threat to public safety and a ranger euthanized it via firearm.
“Per standard protocol, wildlife officers contacted the victim and family at the hospital to obtain evidence samples from the bite and scratch wounds and the victim’s clothing.
“Those evidence samples were confirmed a DNA match by CDFW’s Wildlife Forensic Lab in Sacramento.
“CDFW and State Parks officials are thankful that the family is safe, and the child is recovering and no one else was injured.”
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli