Tragic Wildlife Encounter: 8-Year-Old Camper Attacked by Cougar at Olympic National Park
On Saturday evening, an incident occurred at approximately 17:30 local time in Washington’s Olympic National Park, where a cougar attacked an 8-year-old camper, as confirmed by park officials.
The National Park Service reported that the assault took place at Lake Angeles, and the cougar eventually ceased its attack in response to the child’s mother’s screams, resulting in minor injuries to the 8-year-old.
In the aftermath of the attack, all other campers in the vicinity were evacuated, and access to the area was closed due to the seriousness of the incident, as stated by Tom Kay, a wildlife biologist at Olympic National Park.
Law enforcement and wildlife personnel promptly entered the park on Sunday morning to search for the cougar. If located, the animal will be euthanized and subjected to a necropsy, which may offer insight into the reason for the attack.
The National Park Service highlighted that cougar encounters are rare, and attacks on humans are exceedingly uncommon.
Historical Cougar-Human Encounters
According to records from the State Department of Fish and Wildlife, there have been around two dozen documented cougar-human encounters resulting in injuries since 1924, with one fatal attack recorded in 2018. Last year, a 9-year-old girl survived a cougar attack in Washington.
It is important to note that the entire Olympic National Park is considered cougar territory, and visitors are advised against hiking or jogging alone. Children should always be supervised by an adult, and pets should be left at home.
In the event of encountering a cougar, park visitors are discouraged from fleeing, as it may trigger the animal’s predatory instincts. Instead, experts recommend group formation to appear as large as possible and make loud noises.
The aim is to persuade the cougar that humans are not prey but potential threats, following guidelines set by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Cougars, the largest feline species in Washington, can weigh up to an average of 140 pounds for adult males and rarely exceed 110 pounds for adult females. They tend to be most active during twilight and early morning hours.
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Source: CBS News
