MOUNTAIN LION MAULS 4‑YEAR‑OLD IN OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK, USA
A 4-year-old boy is recovering from serious injuries after being mauled by a mountain lion while on a family camping trip in Olympic National Park, Washington State, on Saturday. The rare and terrifying incident occurred near Lake Angeles in the popular Heart O’ the Hills area, prompting a swift emergency response and renewed concern over wildlife encounters in national parks.
According to the National Park Service (NPS), the young boy was playing near his campsite when the mountain lion pounced on him in what rangers described as an “unprovoked attack.” The child’s parents intervened immediately, managing to scare the animal away before it could inflict fatal injuries. Emergency responders were called, and the boy was airlifted to a nearby hospital in Seattle where he remains in stable condition.
In a press release, Olympic National Park Superintendent Sula Jacobs said, “This was a shocking and extremely rare incident. We commend the family for their quick response and are grateful that the child is now in stable condition. The safety of our visitors is our top priority.”
The mountain lion, also known as a cougar, was later tracked by wildlife officials using scent dogs and was euthanized. Biologists will conduct a necropsy and toxicology tests to assess the animal’s health and possible reasons for the unusual behavior. While mountain lions are native to the Pacific Northwest, attacks on humans are exceptionally rare.
Dr. Brian Kertson, a large carnivore specialist with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), explained, “Mountain lions are typically elusive and avoid human contact. When they do attack, it is usually due to illness, hunger, or abnormal behavior. We’re examining all factors in this case.”
Park rangers have temporarily closed off the Lake Angeles and Heart O’ the Hills areas of the park as a precaution. They are also distributing safety information to visitors, reminding them to keep children within sight, avoid hiking at dawn or dusk, and never run from a mountain lion, as it may trigger a chase response.
Mountain lion populations in the western United States have seen a gradual resurgence due to conservation efforts, but as human development and recreational activity expand into their natural habitats, wildlife experts warn that encounters may increase. Nevertheless, fatal mountain lion attacks remain extraordinarily rare — with fewer than 30 recorded deaths in North America over the last century.
The incident has sparked public discussion about the balance between wildlife conservation and human safety in national parks. Many are calling for increased signage, ranger patrols, and mandatory safety briefings in high-risk areas.
“This incident is heartbreaking,” said Julia Sanders, a park visitor and mother of two who was hiking in a nearby area. “We come to parks for nature, but it’s clear we need to be more prepared and aware of the risks.”
As the young boy continues to recover, park authorities say they will review safety protocols and reassess mountain lion management strategies within Olympic National Park. They stress, however, that such events, while traumatic, are exceedingly uncommon — and that nature, while awe-inspiring, always demands respect and caution.