8-Year-Old Camper Survives Cougar Attack at Olympic National Park in Washington State

On Saturday evening, an 8-year-old camper at Olympic National Park in Washington state survived a cougar attack with only minor injuries. According to the National Park Service, the cougar “casually abandoned its attack” after the child’s mother yelled at the animal. The child was taken to the hospital for evaluation and all other campers in the area were evacuated.

The National Park Service has since launched a search for the cougar and plans to euthanize it under longstanding guidelines. Tom Kay, a wildlife biologist with the park, said in a statement that access to the area has been shut down “due to the extreme nature of this incident.”

This is not the first time a cougar attack has occurred in Olympic National Park. In 2018, a cougar attacked a mountain biker, killing him. The cougar was later euthanized.

The National Park Service advises visitors to be aware of their surroundings and to keep an eye out for wildlife. They also recommend carrying bear spray and making noise while hiking to reduce the chances of a surprise encounter with a cougar.

The National Park Service is continuing to investigate the incident and is reminding visitors to be aware of their surroundings and take necessary precautions when visiting the park.