Girl, 11, Attacked By Mountain Lion In Malibu Yard: Reports

MALIBU, CA — Authorities shot and killed a mountain lion after it attacked an 11-year-old girl outside a Malibu home Sunday evening, according to reports.

The incident occurred at around 5:45 p.m. on the 32500 block of Pacific Coast Highway, near Encinial Canyon Road. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department responded to the property to find the child suffering from a bite wound on her arm, the Malibu Times reported.

The girl had been feeding chickens outside just before the cougar bit her. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, according to NBC Los Angeles.

Deputies located the lion near the property and contained it until officers with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife arrived, who shot and killed it, the Malibu Times reported.

Authorities collected DNA samples from the girl's bite wound and will test it against the euthanized mountain lion's DNA in order to confirm it was responsible for the attack, KTLA reported.

Mountain lion attacks are rare but not unheard of in Los Angeles County.

The first attack in the area in 25 years occurred in 2021, when a cougar attacked a 5-year-old boy and dragged him 45 yards in the Santa Monica Mountains near Malibu.

Last year, another 5-year-old boy was attacked in the Santa Monica Mountains' Malibu Creek State Park during a family picnic.

The California Department of Fish & Wildlife offers these tips for surviving mountain lion encounters:

• Do not hike, bike, or jog alone. Stay alert on trails.
• Avoid hiking or jogging when mountain lions are most active – dawn, dusk, and at night.
• Keep a close watch on small children.
• Off-leash, dogs on trails are at increased risk of becoming prey for a mountain lion.
• Never approach a mountain lion. Give them an escape route.
• DO NOT RUN. Stay calm. Running may trigger chase, catch and kill response. Do not turn your back. Face the animal, make noise and try to look bigger by waving your arms, or opening your jacket if wearing one; throw rocks or other objects. Pick up small children.
• Do not crouch down or bend over. Squatting puts you in a vulnerable position of appearing much like a 4-legged prey animal.
• Be vocal; however, speak calmly and do not use high-pitched tones or high pitch screams.
• Teach others how to behave during an encounter. Anyone who runs may initiate an attack.
• Carry and know how to use bear spray to deter a mountain lion. Bear spray has been shown to be successful in emergency situations with mountain lions. Have the spray readily accessible. Carry in a holster belt or attach to a mountain bike. Talk to the folks at your local outdoor store. Make sure you know how to properly use bear spray. People have been known to spray their own faces when attempting to use it.
• If a lion attacks, fight back. Research on mountain lion attacks suggests that many potential victims have fought back successfully with rocks, sticks, garden tools, even an ink pen or bare hands. Try to stay on your feet. If knocked down, try to protect head and neck.
• If a mountain lion attacks a person, immediately call 911.
• Report unusual mountain lion behavior to your local CDFW regional office.

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