Current:Home > reviewsCougar attacks 8-year-old, leading to closures in Washington’s Olympic National Park -ForexStream
Cougar attacks 8-year-old, leading to closures in Washington’s Olympic National Park
View
Date:2025-04-27 14:40:24
An 8-year-old was attacked by a cougar Saturday, prompting authorities to close Lake Angeles and Heather Park in Olympic National Park, Washington, until further notice.
Authorities were notified at 6:30 p.m. local time on Saturday that a child had been attacked by a cougar while camping at Lake Angeles, the National Park Service, Olympia branch, said in a release. The child's mom screamed at the big cat and the cougar abandoned its attack, according to the NPS.
Park officials responded to the scene and escorted the family back to the trailhead area after the child's medical condition was assessed and stabilized. The child suffered minor injuries, according to the NPS, and the 8-year-old was taken to a hospital to be evaluated.
MORE: 70-year-old man attacked by cougar, avoids serious injuries
As a result of the incident with the cougar, all of the campers at Lake Angeles were evacuated, and portions of Olympic National Park were closed to the public.
"Due to the extreme nature of this incident, we are closing the Lake Angeles area and several trails in the vicinity," Olympic National Park Wildlife Biologist, Tom Kay, said in a statement. "Out of an abundance of caution, the Lake Angeles Trail, Heather Park Trail, Switchback Trail, and the entire Klahhane Ridge Trail are closed until further notice."
Wildlife personnel with experience in cougar tracking joined park law enforcement on Sunday at 5 a.m. PT at the spot in the Lake Angeles area where the cat was last seen for a search. According to the NPS, as part of the Olympic National Park's protocol, the cougar will be euthanized if it is located, followed by a necropsy. The exam would be done as NPS said attacks on humans are "extraordinarily rare." Cougars aren't seen very often. However, they do live in the Olympic National Park area.
MORE: Mountain lion attacks man from behind while he and his wife relaxed in hot tub
The NPS advised visitors to be prepared for an encounter and not hike or jog alone. Authorities also suggest keeping children close to adults and within the site. Also, pets should be left at home.
Finally, the NPS advised that anyone encountering a cougar should not run as it could "trigger the cougar's attack instinct," the organization said in their release. To avoid this scenario, people should group together, try to appear as large as possible, make as much noise as possible, and throw rocks or objects at the cougar. Further information can be found on the Olympic National Park website.
ABC News' Marilyn Heck contributed to this story.
veryGood! (25)
Related
- Bodycam footage shows high
- Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark is perfect man as conference pursues selling naming rights
- Here are the most and least affordable major cities in the world
- What College World Series games are on Sunday? Florida State or Virginia going home
- South Korean president's party divided over defiant martial law speech
- Dog-eating crocodile that terrorized Australian town is killed and eaten by residents: Never a dull moment
- Kate Middleton Makes First Formal Appearance in 6 Months at Trooping the Colour 2024
- Donating blood makes my skin look great. Giving blood is good for you.
- 'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
- Nashville police officer arrested for appearing in adult OnlyFans video while on duty
Ranking
- Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
- You may owe the IRS money on Monday — skipping payment could cost you hundreds of dollars
- Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl rings have a typo
- Reese Witherspoon Debuts Jaw-Dropping Nicole Kidman Impression While Honoring Her
- Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
- Taylor Swift says Eras Tour will end in December
- Musk discusses multibillion-dollar pay package vote at Tesla's annual shareholder meeting
- Luka Doncic shows maturity in responding to criticism with terrific NBA Finals Game 4
Recommendation
McKinsey to pay $650 million after advising opioid maker on how to 'turbocharge' sales
Muslim pilgrims converge at Mount Arafat for daylong worship as Hajj reaches its peak
Man charged in 'race war' plot targeting Black people, Jews, Muslims ahead of election
Charles Barkley says he will retire from television after 2024-25 NBA season
Bodycam footage shows high
Gretchen Walsh, a senior at Virginia, sets world record at Olympic trials
Joe Alwyn Breaks Silence on Taylor Swift Breakup
Robert Pattinson, Adam DeVine and More Stars Celebrating Their First Father's Day in 2024