Father Saves 4-Year-Old From Mountain Lion Olympic National Park

A 4-year-old child was attacked by a mountain lion while hiking with family near the Victoria Overlook area on Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park, Washington. The child's father heroically intervened, pulling the animal away and likely saving the child's life, according to witnesses. The child was airlifted to a Level 1 trauma center in Seattle, treated for injuries, and later released. The mountain lion, which was wearing a research tracking collar, was located by park rangers and a canine team shortly after the attack and euthanized to remove any threat to the public. Mountain lion attacks on humans are rare, and park officials emphasized visitor safety, advising hikers to stay alert, keep children close, and follow recommended guidelines for encounters with cougars. The incident remains under investigation with no current threats reported to park visitors.