5-year-old attacked by mountain lion at Malibu Creek State Park

A 5-year-old boy is recovering after being attacked by a mountain lion at Malibu Creek State Park in Calabasas.

Park rangers say they almost never see mountain lions at the park, KNX News’ Jon Baird reports. But while the boy and his family were having a picnic on Sunday afternoon, a mountain lion came out of the trees, grabbed the boy by the head, and tried to drag him away.

Witnesses say the mountain lion showed no fear whatsoever. The boy’s father fought the cougar with his bare hands until it released the child.

A spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Fire Department said the boy was airlifted to a hospital in stable condition. He was released later in the day, but returned to the hospital due to complications from injuries to his eyes.

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The lion was determined to be a threat to the public and was euthanized.

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