A 4-year-old child was injured in a mountain lion attack at Olympic National Park in Washington state on Sunday. The attack occurred near the Victoria Overlook area on the popular Hurricane Ridge trail, while the child was walking with family, according to the National Park Service.
Emergency responders, including paramedics and park staff, quickly attended to the child, transporting them via air ambulance to a Seattle hospital for treatment. The identity of the child has not been disclosed in order to maintain privacy.
Following the incident, park rangers swiftly initiated a search for the mountain lion involved. The collared animal was located and subsequently dispatched by Monday morning. The National Park Service confirmed that there is no ongoing threat to the public as they continue to investigate the attack.
Witnesses to the incident are encouraged to reach out to the parks service for any information. Notably, cougar attacks on humans are rare, as these animals are typically elusive.
This situation serves as a reminder of the wildlife encounters that can occur in national parks, highlighting the importance of safety measures and awareness while enjoying nature. The swift response from park officials reflects their commitment to both visitor safety and wildlife management.