The rich and wealthy aren’t the only ones with claims to Calabasas city, as many vicious creatures from the animal kingdom roam the territory as well. It’s home to a variety of wildlings from squirrels and racoons, to coyotes and even mountain lions—yes, you heard that right.
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Preying on a child
The paths of humans and mountain lions cross on very, very rare occasions, but last weekend a young mountain lion was seen preying on a five-year-old boy. He dragged the child 45 yards from his own home, and when his mother saw, she ran out of the house and reportedly started striking at the mountain lion with her own bare hands. Captain Patrick Foy, spokesman for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, said:
The true hero of this story is his mom because she absolutely saved her son's life.
She ran out of the house and started punching and striking the mountain lion with her bare hands and got him off her son.
This mom's an absolute hero who saved her son's life, there's no question about it.
The mother managed to successfully fend off the beast and took her son to the hospital. LadBible reported that the boy had sustained several injuries on his head and upper torso, but the doctors confirmed that he will have a full recovery.
Return of the crouching lion
Following the incident, officers from the department of Fish and Wildlife law enforcement division returned to the family’s home and found the same lion in the yard again. According to ABC7 it was immediately shot dead. The department stated:
Due to its behaviour and proximity to the attack, the warden believed it was likely the attacking lion.
After analysing DNA samples from the lion, along with human tissue and blood from underneath its claws, the authorities confirmed that they had killed the same lion that was responsible for the attack.
What to do if you see a mountain lion?
If you ever see a mountain lion in California, the National Park Service suggests that you stay as calm as possible and back away from the lion slowly. Do not run towards the lion, as they most likely want to escape confrontation. Avoid crouching down or bending over at all costs. NPS says:
Biologists surmise mountain lions don't recognise standing humans as prey. On the other hand, a person squatting or bending over looks a lot like a four-legged prey animal. If you're in mountain lion habitat, avoid squatting, crouching, or bending over, even when picking up children.
