Mountain Lion Killed After 'Attacking' Toddler West Of SW RivCo

TRABUCO CANYON, CA — Nestled between Orange County and Southwest Riverside County lies thousands of acres of mountain lion habitat, and Monday afternoon one of the big cats was killed by officials.

Multiple news agencies in Orange County reported that a mountain lion "attacked" a 3-year-old child around 4 p.m. in the open space area located directly west of Lake Elsinore known as Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park. The area sits at the base of the Cleveland National Forest in Orange County, about 15 miles west of Lake Elsinore as the crow flies.

A family of six was "walking in the park when the mountain lion attacked and grabbed the child by the neck. The family's father threw a backpack at the animal and it let the child go and instead grabbed the bag and jumped into a tree," according to a report from KABC.

The child is reportedly in stable condition and did not suffer severe injuries.

The cat was killed by officials, according to reports. It's not immediately clear whether California Department of Fish and Wildlife officials or deputies from the Orange County Sheriff's Department killed the animal, which was reportedly a "public threat."

More than half of California is mountain lion habitat, according to Fish and Wildlife. "Mountain lions generally exist wherever deer are found," according to the agency. "They are solitary and elusive, and their nature is to avoid humans."

For more about mountain lions and how to stay safe, visit https://wildlife.ca.gov/Keep-Me-Wild/Lion