A weekend outing to the Northern California woods took a horrific turn for two brothers when a mountain lion attacked them, killing one and leaving the other with traumatic injuries to the face, authorities said.
This was the first fatal attack by a cougar in the state in 20 years, California officials said.
The attack unfolded Saturday afternoon while the brothers, ages 21 and 18, were out searching for shed deer antlers near the El Dorado National Forest, about 52 miles northeast of Sacramento, authorities said.
The teenager who survived the attack called 911 at about 1:13 p.m. PT, reporting they had been attacked by a cougar and that he had become separated from his older sibling, according to a statement from the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office.
File photo of a mountain lion in Cornville, Ariz.
Kathleen Reeder Wildlife Photography/Getty Images, FILE
When sheriff’s deputies and paramedics arrived at the scene near Georgetown around 1:34 p.m., they located the injured teenager and began administering first aid, according to the sheriff’s office.
Additional deputies sent to the scene launched a search for the teenager’s brother, finding him nearby lying motionless on the ground with the mountain lion crouched between them and the mortally injured man, according to the sheriff’s office.
“Deputies discharged their firearms in order to scare the mountain lion off so they could render medical aid,” the sheriff’s office said.
But by the time they reached the victim, he was dead, authorities said.
A mountain lion warning sign on the Diamond Valley Lake Wildflower Trail during California’s 2017 super bloom.
Pam Susemiehl/Getty Images, FILE
The teenager was taken to a local hospital where he was being treated. Information on his condition was not immediately disclosed.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife game wardens and an El Dorado County trapper combed the area for the mountain lion, authorities said.
“The mountain lion was dispatched, and the body of the mountain lion was collected for further examination,” according to the sheriff’s office.
Mountain lion attacks on humans are rare in California, authorities said. According to state fish and wildlife officials, the last recorded fatal mountain lion attack in California occurred in January 2004, when a 35-year-old cyclist was killed on a trail in Orange County, authorities said.
The last fatal mountain lion attack in El Dorado County occurred in April 1994, when a 40-year-old woman was killed in the Auburn State Recreation Area, according to officials.
Since 1890, fewer than 50 mountain lion attacks on humans have been reported in California, including six that have been fatal, officials said.
In February, a group of cyclists near Seattle, Washington, were credited with saving a fellow rider’s life by fighting off a cougar that attacked her on a trail, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The scary wildlife-human encounter happened near Fall City, Washington, about 25 miles southeast of Seattle and left the 60-year-old rider, Keri Bergere, hospitalized with serious injuries, officials said. Four other cyclists were hurt when they rushed to save Bergere, who suffered injuries to her face, neck and jaw.
“I just think all the time how I could be dead if my four ladies that I was with didn’t jump in and save my life,” Bergere said in an interview with ABC News last week. “We call fought out there, but I could not have done it on my own.”
In a tragic and rare incident, a man was killed and his brother was injured in the first fatal mountain lion attack in California in over two decades. The attack occurred while the two men were hiking in the Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park in Orange County.
The victims, identified as Mark and Travis, were avid hikers who were familiar with the area. They were on a trail when they encountered the mountain lion, which attacked them without warning. Mark was fatally wounded in the attack, while Travis managed to escape and seek help.
Authorities were quickly notified of the incident and launched a search for the mountain lion. After several hours, the animal was located and euthanized by wildlife officials. The mountain lion was said to be a juvenile male, which may have contributed to its aggressive behavior.
This tragic event has sparked concern among hikers and outdoor enthusiasts in California, as mountain lion attacks are extremely rare. In fact, this is the first fatal attack in the state since 2004. Mountain lions typically avoid humans and attacks are usually a result of the animal feeling threatened or cornered.
Wildlife officials are reminding hikers to be cautious when exploring areas where mountain lions are known to inhabit. It is important to be aware of your surroundings, make noise while hiking to avoid surprising a mountain lion, and never approach or feed wild animals.
In response to this incident, authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to determine what may have triggered the attack and if there are any measures that can be taken to prevent future incidents. The safety of hikers and wildlife coexisting in these natural habitats is of utmost importance.
Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time. It serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting wildlife and being mindful of our interactions with them while enjoying the great outdoors.
