Latest news with #OlympicNationalPark
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
What should I do if I see a mountain lion on a Washington hike? Follow these tips
You're on a hiking trail in the Pacific Northwest when you catch a glimpse of a massive, cat-like creature with a tawny brown coat and a black-tipped tail. You've just spotted a mountain lion. 'Cougars are one of the most reclusive, elusive and stealthy creatures of the forests,' the National Park Service said on its website. 'Thus, they are rarely seen by people.' A mountain lion recently injured a child who was hiking in Olympic National Park, The News Tribune reported. How common are cougars in Washington state? What should you do if you encounter a mountain lion in the wild? Here's what to know: What happened in cougar attack at Olympic National Park? On Sunday, July 20, a mountain lion attacked a 4-year-old child near the Victoria Overlook area on Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park, the NPS said in a Monday, July 21 news release. Olympic National Park in northwest Washington encompasses nearly a million acres of land, including 'glacier-capped mountains, old-growth temperate rain forests and over 70 miles of wild coastline,' the NPS says on its website. The wild cat, which was wearing a tracking collar, bit the child while they were 'walking with their family on a popular trail,' the federal parks agency said. 'Park staff located and dispatched the animal' the following day, the NPS said in the release. 'There are no current threats to the public.' Mountain lion attacks on humans are 'incredibly rare,' according to the Mountain Lion Foundation. The nonprofit conservation group said there have been just 29 cases of fatal mountain lion attacks involving people in North America since 1868. Only two people have died from cougar attacks in Washington state in the past century or so, Sierra magazine reported in 2018. What do cougars look like? Cougars, also known as mountain lions or pumas, are 'sleek and graceful' predators known for their 'strength, agility and awesome ability to jump,' according to the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. The big cats vary in color from reddish-brown to tawny to gray, sporting black tips on their long, ropy tails, the state wildlife agency said on its website. Cougar kittens sport spots until they turn 4 or 5 months old. Cougars are considerably bigger than other members of the cat family found in Washington state, such as bobcats and Canada lynx. Adult male cougars can weigh up to 180 pounds and measure 7 to 8 feet long 'from nose to tip of tail,' the Washington Fish & Wildlife Department said, while female mountain lions rarely weigh more than 110 pounds. How common are mountain lions in Washington state? According to the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, cougars be found throughout Washington state wherever 'suitable cover and prey are found.' 'Cougars use steep canyons, rock outcroppings and boulders or vegetation such as dense brush and forests to remain hidden while hunting,' the agency said, with male mountain lions covering a range of 50 to 150 square miles to find food. Although it doesn't regularly monitor or count cougar numbers, the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife estimates there are approximately 2,400 adult or nearly adult cougars living in the state. What's the best way to prevent a cougar attack? According to the Mountain Lion Foundation, the best way to prevent encounters with cougars is to keep them away from your property. 'The best thing to do is to keep a barrier between you and the wildlife,' the nonprofit said. 'By doing so, you will save your pets and livestock from becoming dinner and help keep (cougars) out of trouble ...' The Mountain Lion Foundation recommends bringing your pets indoors 'whenever possible,' especially at night. 'Cougars are most active from dusk to dawn,' the Washington Department of Fish & Wild life said, although it's 'not unusual' for the wild cats to go hunting during the day. You should also secure your livestock at night in a 'fully enclosed structure' such as a shed or barn, the Mountain Lion Foundation said, adding that tall fences and specially trained guard dogs can also keep cougars at bay. You should avoid attracting deer — cougars' natural prey — to your yard or garden by keeping tempting, tasty plants at a minimum and installing proper fencing, the Mountain Lion Foundation said. You can keep away other mountain lion food sources, including raccoons and feral cats, by storing pet food in a secure enclosure, feeding your animals indoors and securing your garbage cans, the foundation said. 'Timed or motion sensor alarms with flashing lights, loud noises and sprinklers may work on mountain lions, and can also provide an added bonus of scaring other pesky neighbors who show up uninvited,' the Mountain Lion Foundation said. What should I do if I encounter a mountain lion? Before hitting the trail, the Mountain Lion Foundation recommends putting on 'bright and highly contrasting clothing' and asking about recent wildlife sightings. You should stay on trails, check maps to avoid getting lost and keep your pets secure on leashes. 'Avoid jogging or mountain biking in low-light conditions at dusk and dawn,' the Mountain Lion Foundation said. According to the NPS, you should follow these steps if you see a cougar in the wild: Do not approach. Stop, stay calm and do not turn your back. Do not run. Face the animal, stand upright, talk calmly and firmly to the cougar and give it a way to escape if you can. Do all you can to appear larger. For example, open your jacket and raise or wave your arms. Pick up small children or pets so they won't panic, flee or make rapid movements. If the cougar becomes more aggressive, become more aggressive toward it. Fight back if attacked. Since mountain lions are 'potentially dangerous' animals, you should report all cougar sightings to park rangers or submit an online wildlife report, the NPS said. Solve the daily Crossword
Fox News
22-07-2025
- Fox News
Mountain lion attacks 4-year-old walking with family at Washington's Olympic National Park
NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! A 4-year-old was hospitalized after being attacked by a mountain lion at a popular national park in Washington. The animal, which was collared, bit a child walking with family near Victoria Overlook on Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park Sunday afternoon, according to a news release from the National Park Service. Park rangers were alerted to the attack shortly after 3 p.m., and paramedics and park staff responded. TRAGEDY STRIKES AT POPULAR NATIONAL PARK AS CLIMBER MEETS FATAL END ON MOUNTAIN The child was transported by medical helicopter to a hospital in Seattle, according to the National Park Service. PASTOR'S SON DIES IN TRAGIC FALL ON GRADUATION TRIP, FAMILY VOWS TO 'HONOR HIM BY LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST' Immediately after the attack, rangers and a canine team began searching for the mountain lion. Staff located the animal that same day and killed the animal the next morning. There is no threat to the public, and the attack is under investigation, the National Park Service noted. "Rangers are still gathering details about the incident," a spokesperson for the National Park Service told Fox News Digital in an email, adding links to information about cougar safety. YELLOWSTONE TOURIST GORED BY BISON AFTER GROUP OF VISITORS APPROACHED IT TOO CLOSELY Anyone who witnessed the incident should contact the National Park Service, the spokesperson added. Last summer, a 5-year-old boy was hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries after a mountain lion attack in Southern California. The big cat was later euthanized by California state rangers. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue, which also responded to the incident in Washington, did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Father fights off mountain lion to save 4-year-old in Olympic National Park
A father's split-second decision saved his child's life. A peaceful family outing at Washington's Olympic National Park turned into a nightmare when a mountain lion attacked a 4-year-old child, leading to a dramatic rescue by the child's father that witnesses are calling heroic. The attack occurred Sunday afternoon around 3:15 p.m. on Hurricane Ridge Trail, one of the park's most popular hiking destinations, known for its expansive mountain views. The family was walking the well-traveled path when a collared mountain lion suddenly bit the young child. According to the National Park Service, the child's father immediately sprang into action, physically intervening to get his child away from the dangerous predator. Witnesses at the scene praised the father's quick thinking and brave response, crediting his actions with potentially saving the child's life. "I don't think that kid would survive if it wasn't for his dad jumping in," said Steve Murrow, who was hiking nearby with his family when the attack occurred. "He's a hero. It just boils down to safety in numbers, and it is rare that something like this would happen." Murrow and his father-in-law heard the child's screams and rushed to the area, where they found the mother holding her injured child while other hikers provided comfort and assistance to the shaken family. Park rangers and paramedics quickly responded to the emergency call, airlifting the child to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for treatment. Hospital officials later confirmed the child was in satisfactory condition and has since been released. The mountain lion, which was fitted with a research tracking collar, remained in the area after the attack. Rangers launched an immediate search effort, joined by a specialized canine team around 5 p.m. The animal was located shortly after and subsequently killed by park officials, who stated there was no ongoing threat to public safety. What to do if you see a mountain lion This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of wilderness safety awareness. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service advises anyone encountering a mountain lion to make themselves appear larger and more aggressive by opening jackets, raising arms, and throwing stones or branches while maintaining eye contact. Crucially, experts warn never to run from a mountain lion, as this can trigger their chase instinct. Mountain lion attacks on humans are extremely rare, making this incident particularly unusual for the popular tourist destination. The National Park Service is asking any witnesses to the attack to contact them at 888-653-0009 or email nps_isb@ as they continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the encounter. The family's identity is being protected for privacy reasons, but their experience highlights two things: the unpredictable nature of wildlife encounters, and the powerful instinct of a parent to protect their child at any cost. Solve the daily Crossword
New York Times
22-07-2025
- Health
- New York Times
Mountain Lion Is Euthanized After Attacking a Child in Olympic National Park
A mountain lion that bit a 4-year-old child on a popular trail at Olympic National Park in Washington State was euthanized on Monday, park officials said. The child was treated at a hospital in Seattle and released on Monday, officials said. The child had been walking with family at the national park on Sunday when the mountain lion, which was wearing a tracking collar for research purposes, attacked, according to park officials. The child's identity and extent of their injuries were not released. Mountain lion attacks on humans are exceedingly rare, according to wildlife experts. There have only been a couple dozen fatal attacks in the U.S. and Canada in the last 150 years, according to data. Mountain lions are mostly solitary cats, tending to keep a low profile among people, which makes sightings of them unusual. The child was attacked while on a popular trail near the Victoria Overlook area on Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park, officials said. Rangers were notified of the attack about 3:15 p.m. on Sunday, and paramedics and park staff quickly transferred the child by an air ambulance to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Rangers, and later a canine team, searched for the animal and found it on Sunday. It was not euthanized until Monday morning, park officials said. Mountain lions are known by more than 40 common names, including puma, cougar, panther, red tiger and catamount. They are most active at dusk and dawn, and their favorite prey are deer and elk. No details were released about the animal, or its contribution to research. In 2022, another collared mountain lion, known as P-22, was euthanized in Los Angeles after wildlife officials determined that he had serious health issues. That one had become a celebrity in the city, after helping to inspire the construction of a wildlife crossing bridge on the 101 Freeway. P-22 lived most of his life in Griffith Park and gained a social media following, with more than 10,000 followers on Instagram. But despite the crossing bridge, he was hit by a car in 2022. Soon afterward, he attacked two dogs, one of which died. Olympic National Park, which covers more than 920,000 acres on a thumb of land known as the Olympic Peninsula, is one of the largest, most remote, and least-developed protected areas in the United States.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Yahoo
‘Hero' father pulls four-year-old child out of mountain lion's jaws in Washington state
A mountain lion bit a four-year-old child on Sunday while the child hiked with family on Hurricane Ridge in Washington state's Olympic national park, authorities said. The child's father reportedly saved the minor's life by pulling the child from the creature's jaws. The harrowing – though rare – encounter occurred at about 3.15pm, according to a National Park Service statement. Early reports indicated that a collared cougar attacked the child while on a well-traveled trail. Related: These women are raising endangered butterfly larvae from prison: 'They reconnect with their own brilliance' Park rangers later tracked and euthanized the animal the next morning, according to officials. Emergency crews from the Clallam county fire district – who responded to the attack alongside park personnel – airlifted the injured child to a trauma center in Seattle. Park officials said the father may have saved his child's life by quickly intervening in the attack on a heavily used trail known for its expansive views. Witnesses who spoke to a local news outlet commended the man's bravery. Hiker Steve Murrow, who was on the same trail that day, told the Seattle television station KIRO: 'I don't think that kid would survive if it wasn't for his dad jumping in. 'I mean, he's a hero. You know, it just boils down to safety in numbers and it is rare that something like this would happen.' Murrow recalled realizing what was happening after hearing the 'screaming of a small child'. He and his father-in-law, Mike Flenniken, told KIRO that they arrived to find the child's mother holding the child, who was surrounded by people offering help. They were then told the father pulled the child away from the attacking lion. The Harborview medical center listed the child's condition as satisfactory, and facility officials said the minor had since been discharged, KIRO reported. The cougar involved had been wearing a GPS collar, and the attack site was near a scenic lookout known as Victoria Overlook on Hurricane Ridge. Officials said there was no ongoing danger to visitors at the park. They did not release information about the child's identity, citing privacy concerns. Mountain lion attacks on humans remain extremely uncommon in North America. The Mountain Lion Foundation says less than one such attack has occurred annually since 1868. Experts say these animals generally avoid humans, though sightings and encounters have slightly increased since conservation policies ended bounty hunting and allowed cougar populations to rebound. Only two people have died from mountain lion attacks in Washington state in the past century, and just about 20 other cases have resulted in injuries, according to the state's department of fish and wildlife. Nonetheless, when such cases do occur, they generate significant media attention. In March 2024, a group of women in Washington wrestled their friend out of the jaws of a cougar after the animal encountered and attacked them while they were on a biking trip, resulting in national news coverage. Solve the daily Crossword
