A 5-year-old Woodland Hills boy was injured Sunday when a mountain lion attacked him while he was picnicking with his family at Malibu Creek State Park, authorities said.
A park ranger later killed the lion.
The child was playing with other children near the family’s picnic table when the big cat attacked, California Department of Fish and Wildlife officials said. The cat grabbed the boy and caused injuries.
“One or more adults attacked the lion and it released the boy. Several witnesses saw the attack and observed the mountain lion climbing a nearby tree, the department said in a statement.
The mountain lion remained in the tree as officials responded to the area. It was considered a threat to public safety and a warden “destroyed it at gunpoint,” the department said, providing no further details.
The boy, whose name was not released, was taken to Northridge Hospital Medical Center and released Monday.