4yearold attacked by mountain lion at Olympic National Park, officials say Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY July 21, 2025 at 11:29 PM A fouryearold was attacked by a mountain lion at Olympic National Park in Washington state, the National Park Service said. The attack happened at about 3:15 p.m.
- - - 4-year-old attacked by mountain lion at Olympic National Park, officials say
Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY July 21, 2025 at 11:29 PM
A four-year-old was attacked by a mountain lion at Olympic National Park in Washington state, the National Park Service said.
The attack happened at about 3:15 p.m. on July 20 near the Victoria Overlook area on Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park, the park service said in a statement. The mountain lion, which was collared, bit the child on a popular trail as the minor walked with family.
Paramedics and park staff airlifted the victim to a trauma center in Seattle, where the child is undergoing treatment, the park service said. Officials did not provide additional information about the child, citing privacy reasons.
Rangers began searching for the cougar immediately after the attack and were later joined by a canine team, the park service confirmed. Park staff later located the mountain lion and "dispatched the animal" on July 21.
"There are no current threats to the public," the park service said. The incident remains under investigation.
What to do if you encounter a mountain lion
Though attacks on humans are rare, mountain lions are a potentially dangerous animal, the National Park Service warned on its website. Male cougars can weigh up to 150 pounds, while female cougars can weigh between 75 and 100 pounds.
In 2024, a horrific mountain lion attack left one man dead and another injured in a remote forest area in Northern California. Taylen Robert Claude Brooks, 21, was killed during the attack in the small community of Georgetown, the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office posted in a statement on social media at the time.
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service offers guidelines on how people can stay safe while navigating a mountain lion habitat, including hiking with a companion and being aware of their surroundings.
If someone encounters a puma in the wild, the service advises people to do the following:
"Do not approach."
"Stop, stay calm, and do not turn your back. Do not run."
"Face the animal, stand upright, talk calmly and firmly to the cougar, and give it a way to escape if you can".
Do all you can to appear larger. For example, open your jacket and raise or wave your arms.
"Pick up small children or pets immediately so they won't panic, flee, or make rapid movements."
"If the cougar becomes more aggressive, become more aggressive toward it. Convince the animal that you are not prey, but a danger to it."
"Fight back if attacked."
Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mountain lion attacked child at Olympic National Park in Washington
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