An 11-year-old girl was attacked by a mountain lion in Malibu, California, on Sunday evening, according to state wildlife officials. The incident occurred near a chicken coop on the family's property.
The cougar approached the girl from behind, biting her on the arm, leg, and lower back. She was treated at a local hospital for minor injuries. Family members, including the girl's mother and sibling, heard her screams and rushed to help, but the mountain lion then chased them.
Another family member used a stun gun, and the noise scared the cat away. Authorities later located a mountain lion in the area and euthanised it. DNA samples are being analysed to confirm if it was the same animal.
Mountain lion attacks on humans are rare, with only 27 confirmed incidents in California since 1986, most non-fatal. In March 2024, a fatal attack occurred in Northern California, the first in two decades. Earlier that year, a five-year-old boy was rescued from a mountain lion at Malibu Creek State Park.
