Toddler Attacked by Mountain Lion During Family Hike at Olympic National Park
A family outing in Olympic National Park took a terrifying turn when a 4-year-old child was attacked by a mountain lion while hiking along a popular trail near Victoria Overlook on Hurricane Ridge. The National Park Service reported the incident occurred on Sunday afternoon, July 20.
The young hiker sustained bite injuries and was quickly airlifted to a Seattle hospital for medical care. Details about the child’s current condition remain private as officials work to respect the family’s privacy.
In response, park rangers, alongside a specially trained canine team, launched an immediate search for the predator. The mountain lion, identifiable by a tracking collar, was found and humanely euthanized on Monday to prevent further danger to park visitors.
Mountain lions, known also as cougars, are powerful creatures weighing up to 150 pounds. Though typically shy and avoiding people, they fiercely defend their territories and primarily hunt elk and deer, but can also feed on smaller animals such as rodents or fish.
The National Park Service stressed that attacks on humans are exceedingly rare. They advise anyone who encounters a mountain lion to remain calm, make themselves appear as large as possible, maintain eye contact, and back away slowly — but never run.
As investigations continue into the attack, this incident serves as a sobering reminder of the wild encounters that can occur even on popular family trails.
