A mountain lion viciously attacks a child during a family outing on a well-traveled trail within Olympic National Park, a relatively uncommon occurrence.
In a rare incident, a four-year-old child was attacked by a mountain lion during a family hike near the Victoria Overlook area on Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park on Sunday, July 20.
The attack occurred around 3pm. The mountain lion involved was collared, suggesting it was a known animal in the park. Rangers began searching for the mountain lion immediately and located it at around 5pm.
The victim was airlifted by a LifeFlight helicopter to a Level 1 Trauma Center and is currently undergoing treatment for their injuries in a Seattle hospital. According to rangers, there are no current threats to the public.
Mountain lion attacks on humans are extremely rare but can occur. To ensure safety, it is crucial to remain vigilant when hiking or recreating in mountain lion country, even in National Parks.
The National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have provided key safety guidelines for encountering mountain lions. These include making yourself appear larger and more aggressive, never running or turning your back, keeping children close and between adults, fighting back if attacked, and not crouching down, hiding, or playing dead.
In the event of a mountain lion encounter, it is advisable to open your jacket, raise your arms, and throw stones or branches towards the lion without turning away from it. Stand your ground and maintain eye contact to show you are not prey. Do not let children run ahead or out of sight, as mountain lions often target smaller individuals.
If attacked, use any available objects or your hands to defend yourself. Mountain lions can be deterred by aggressive resistance. It is important not to crouch down, hide, or play dead. Staying upright and confrontational helps deter an attack.
Rangers are asking witnesses to contact them at 888-653-0009 or email [email protected]. For more information on what to do if you meet a mountain lion on the trail, visit our website, where you can find an article dedicated to this topic.
We also offer a newsletter with the latest inspiration, tips, and guides to help plan your next hike. Stay safe and enjoy the trails!
[1] National Park Service. (2025). Mountain Lion Safety Guidelines. Retrieved from https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/mountain-lion-safety.htm [2] U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (2025). Living with Mountain Lions. Retrieved from https://www.fws.gov/mountain-lion/living-with-mountain-lions/ [3] California Department of Fish and Wildlife. (2025). Mountain Lion Safety. Retrieved from https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Mammals/Mountain-Lion/Safety [5] Colorado Parks and Wildlife. (2025). Living with Mountain Lions. Retrieved from https://cpw.state.co.us/learn/Pages/LivingWithMountainLions.aspx
In light of the recent mountain lion attack, it's essential to be aware of safety guidelines when engaging in outdoor-living activities such as hiking, which falls under home-and-garden or sports lifestyle categories. By visiting websites like the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife, you can find valuable information on mountain lion safety to ensure a safer experience in mountain lion country.
