8-Year-Old Attacked by Cougar in Washington’s Olympic National Park
An 8-year-old child was left with minor injuries after being attacked by a cougar in Washington’s Olympic National Park on Saturday evening, according to park officials. The child was camping with their mother at Lake Angeles, in the Heart O’ the Hills area south of Port Angeles when the cougar attacked, as stated in a news release from the National Park Service.
The park service reported that the feline predator “casually abandoned its attack after being yelled and screamed at by the child’s mother.” Park personnel were notified about the attack at 6:30 p.m. and quickly responded. The child suffered minor injuries and was taken to the hospital for further evaluation. Park staff escorted the family back to the trailhead.
As a precautionary measure, staff evacuated all campers in the Lake Angeles area and closed the Lake Angeles and Heather Park areas until further notice. “Due to the extreme nature of this incident, we are closing the Lake Angeles area and several trails in the vicinity,” said Olympic National Park wildlife biologist Tom Kay in the news release. “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.”
On Saturday at 5:00 a.m., park law enforcement and “wildlife personnel specializing in cougar tracking” were sent to the animal’s last known location. If they locate the cougar, they will euthanize it and perform a necropsy to determine why the animal attacked. The park service mentioned that cougars are rarely seen and attacks on humans are extraordinarily rare.
Washington is home to around 1,900 to 2,100 adult cougars, according to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. The department emphasizes that these animals, also known as panthers, pumas, and mountain lions, are elusive and rarely interact with humans. “A person is one thousand times more likely to be struck by lightning than attacked by a cougar,” the department stated. However, as Washington’s human population grows and more people engage in outdoor activities, the chance of observing or encountering cougars may increase.
The park service considers all of Olympic National Park as “cougar territory” and urges visitors to avoid hiking or jogging alone, stay alert to their surroundings, and make lots of noise if they do encounter a cougar.
The Lake Angeles campground is located approximately 100 miles west of Seattle.
What safety guidelines does the park service advise visitors to follow in order to prevent cougar encounters
Injuries from the encounter and was treated at the scene by park rangers.
According to the news release, the incident occurred when the child was playing near the campsite while their mother was preparing dinner. The cougar approached the child and launched an attack. However, the quick response of the child’s mother, who yelled and screamed at the cougar, startled the animal and it retreated.
Park officials praised the mother for her quick thinking and actions, stating that her response likely saved her child from more serious injuries. They also emphasized the importance of staying alert and vigilant in areas where wildlife is present, especially in national parks.
After the incident, park rangers conducted a thorough search of the area to ensure the safety of other campers. They also implemented additional safety measures, including warning signs and increased patrols in the vicinity.
Cougars, also known as mountain lions or pumas, are native to the Olympic National Park and are frequently spotted in the area. While attacks on humans are rare, they do occur from time to time. The park service advises visitors to remain cautious and follow safety guidelines, such as not approaching or feeding wildlife, keeping children close, and making noise to alert animals of their presence.
The national park remains open to visitors, but officials are reminding people to be aware of their surroundings and take necessary precautions when camping or hiking in cougar habitats.
This is a horrifying incident. Hoping for the speedy recovery of the child and a thorough investigation to prevent such attacks in the future.
How terrifying! It’s a relief that the child survived the cougar attack. Hope the investigation sheds light on how this happened and enables better safety measures in the park.