Current:Home > StocksCougar attacks 8-year-old, leading to closures in Washington’s Olympic National Park -WealthMap Solutions
Cougar attacks 8-year-old, leading to closures in Washington’s Olympic National Park
View
Date:2025-04-16 04:52:46
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! (68961)
Related
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- For the First Time, Nations Band Together in a Move Toward Ending Plastics Pollution
- Justice Dept asks judge in Trump documents case to disregard his motion seeking delay
- Google shares drop $100 billion after its new AI chatbot makes a mistake
- Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
- More than 300,000 bottles of Starbucks bottled Frappuccinos have been recalled
- The IRS now says most state relief checks last year are not subject to federal taxes
- An activist group is spreading misinformation to stop solar projects in rural America
- Meta releases AI model to enhance Metaverse experience
- Titanic Submersible Disappearance: Debris Found in Search Area
Ranking
- Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
- Is the economy headed for recession or a soft landing?
- DeSantis' campaign is brutally honest about trailing Trump in presidential race, donors say
- Driven by Industry, More States Are Passing Tough Laws Aimed at Pipeline Protesters
- Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
- Polar Bears Are Suffering from the Arctic’s Loss of Sea Ice. So Is Scientists’ Ability to Study Them
- For the Second Time in Four Years, the Ninth Circuit Has Ordered the EPA to Set New Lead Paint and Dust Standards
- Collin Gosselin Pens Message of Gratitude to Dad Jon Amid New Chapter
Recommendation
Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
Gabby Douglas, 3-time Olympic gold medalist, announces gymnastics comeback: Let's do this
How Kim Kardashian Really Feels About Hater Kourtney Kardashian Amid Feud
Kendall Jenner Shares Plans to Raise Future Kids Outside of Los Angeles
All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
Recession, retail, retaliation
Florida ocean temperatures peak to almost 100 degrees amid heatwave: You really can't cool off
Compare the election-fraud claims Fox News aired with what its stars knew