Accident
Mountain Lion Kills Man and Injures His Brother in California
In a tragic incident that marks the first fatal mountain lion attack in California in 20 years, a 21-year-old man was killed, and his younger brother was severely injured. The attack occurred on Saturday afternoon in a remote area near Georgetown, El Dorado County, approximately 50 miles northeast of Sacramento.
The two brothers, aged 21 and 18, were reportedly hunting for shed deer antlers in the vicinity of the El Dorado National Forest when they were ambushed by the mountain lion. The younger brother, who survived the attack with traumatic injuries to his face, managed to call 911 for help. Authorities responded to the distress call around 1:13 p.m., arriving at the scene to find the 18-year-old and initiating a search for his older sibling.
Upon locating the older brother, deputies discovered the mountain lion crouched between them and the victim. Efforts to scare the animal away were successful, but tragically, the 21-year-old was found deceased. The surviving brother was transported to a local hospital, where he is expected to make a full recovery after undergoing multiple surgeries.
Following the attack, a coordinated effort by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, along with an El Dorado County trapper, led to the location and euthanization of the mountain lion involved in the incident. The animal's body has been collected for further examination to understand the reasons behind the attack.
Mountain lion attacks on humans are exceedingly rare in California, with this incident being the first fatal attack since 2004. According to state officials, there have been fewer than 50 reported mountain lion attacks on humans in California since 1890, including six fatalities. The last recorded fatal attack in El Dorado County occurred in 1994.
Authorities remind the public that while encounters with mountain lions are uncommon, it is essential to exercise caution in areas where these predators are known to reside. Recommendations include hiking in groups, keeping children close, and making noise to avoid surprising a mountain lion. In the event of an encounter, individuals are advised not to run or approach the animal but instead try to appear larger and make noise to scare it away.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers wildlife can pose, even in areas frequented by people. The community mourns the loss of a young life and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured survivor.