A 4-year-old was airlifted after a cougar attack in Olympic National Park, and the animal was killed.
PORT ANGELES, Wash. — A 4-year-old was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center Sunday after being attacked by a cougar in the Hurricane Ridge area of Olympic National Park.
The cougar was later killed.
A cougar with a tracking collar bit the child while they were walking with their family on a popular trail near the Victoria Overlook, according to the National Park Service.Â
Rangers were notified of the attack around 3:15 p.m. Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue paramedics and park staff responded. The child was sent to Harborview via LifeFlight.
Rangers began searching for the cougar. A canine team joined the search around 5 p.m. They located the cougar shortly after and the cougar was killed Monday morning.
Hurricane Ridge Road and the surrounding area was temporarily closed after the attack.
The attack is under investigation.
Witnesses to the attack are asked to call 888-653-0009 or email nps_isb@nps.gov.
The Olympic National Park is considered cougar territory. The National Park Service recommends visitors do not hike or jog alone and to keep children within sight and close to adults.Â
Cougar/human interactions are rare in the northwest. But if you encounter one, officials say to do the following:
- Do not run
- Make noise and appear large
- If attacked, fight back
- Carry bear spray
