“We are thankful that the child who was attacked is recovering and that no one else at the park was injured.  We very much appreciate the public safety work that State Parks rangers and CDFW officers do to keep people as they enjoy the great outdoors.”

CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

LOS ANGELES COUNTY – On September 1, 2024 at 4:21 p.m., California State Parks rangers and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to a report of a mountain lion attack at Malibu Creek State Park. California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) officers, National Park Service personnel, and Los Angeles Fire and Rescue also responded.

A family group from Woodland Hills was having a picnic at the park.  The group consisted 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.

The boy was airlifted to the Northridge Hospital Medical Center for treatment of his injuries and was eventually released in the early morning hours of September 2nd.

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.