Child injured in mountain lion attack during family hike at Olympic National Park

A four-year-old child suffered injuries from a mountain lion attack on July 20 while hiking with family near Victoria Overlook in Olympic National Park. The child was bitten by a collared cougar, prompting an immediate response from park rangers and Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue paramedics, who airlifted the child to a Level 1 Trauma Center in Seattle for treatment. To protect the child's privacy, officials have not released identifying details. In response to the attack, park rangers quickly initiated a search, locating and killing the mountain lion on July 21 to ensure there were no threats to the public. The National Park Service is currently investigating the incident and urges witnesses to contact them with information.

This event raises awareness about wildlife safety for visitors in national parks. Olympic National Park is known for its diverse ecosystems and outdoor recreational opportunities, making such incidents critical for visitor safety. Authorities emphasize the importance of understanding cougar behavior to prevent future encounters.