An 11-year-old girl was attacked by a mountain lion outside her home in Malibu, California, on the evening of August 10, according to state wildlife officials. The incident occurred near a chicken coop on the family’s property, where the animal bit the child on her arm, leg, and lower back.
The girl’s mother responded to her screams, while another family member discharged a stun gun. The sound was enough to scare off the mountain lion. The child was taken to the nearest hospital, where she was treated for minor injuries and later discharged.
Wildlife officers located and euthanized a mountain lion in the area shortly after the attack. DNA testing is underway to confirm whether it was the same animal involved.
Mountain lion attacks on humans are rare in California. Since 1986, the state has only recorded 27 confirmed incidents, most of them nonfatal. The most recent fatality occurred in March 2024, when a 21-year-old man was killed near Georgetown in Northern California.
Wildlife officials continue to monitor mountain lion activity in the region and advise residents to remain cautious in areas near wilderness.
But what should you do in the event of an animal attack—and how can you protect yourself and your loved ones? Whether it happens near your home, while on vacation, or in a foreign country, preparation matters.
Click through to learn what to do—and what to avoid—if you're ever confronted by a wild animal.