Mountain Lion That Attacked Boy At Malibu Creek State Park Euthanized

CALABASAS, CA — A 5-year-old boy was attacked by a mountain lion Sunday during a family picnic at Malibu Creek State Park, prompting state officials to shoot and kill the animal, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

A family from Woodland Hills was having a picnic at a table in the park, and children were playing next to the family's table when the lion lunged for the boy. The puma grabbed the boy by his head and started to run away, authorities said.

The adults at the picnic charged at the lion, causing it to release the boy and dart up a nearby tree. The attack caused significant but non-life-threatening injuries to the 5-year-old, according to officials.

State Parks rangers arrived at the picnic area after they were notified of the attack and found the mountain lion in the tree.

"In consultation with CDFW wildlife officers, they deemed the mountain lion a threat to public safety and a ranger euthanized it via firearm," CDFW said in a statement.

The boy was airlifted to Northridge Hospital Medical Center to treat his injuries and was released Monday morning, CDFW said.

At the hospital, wildlife officers collected evidence samples from the bite and scratch wounds and the victims per standard protocol. The evidence samples were confirmed by a DNA match to the euthanized lion 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," CDFW said.