PORT ANGELES — The National Park Service closed Hurricane Ridge Road, its surrounding area, and associated trails on Sunday, July 20 after a four-year-old child was injured by a mountain lion near the Victoria Overlook area in Olympic National Park.
Park officials said Monday there are no current threats to the public, and park spokesperson Molly Pittman told KONP Monday afternoon that Hurricane Ridge access was expected to be reopened “within the day.”
Rangers were notified of the attack at around 3:15 p.m. on Sunday. According to initial reports, a collared mountain lion bit a child walking with their family on a popular trail.
Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue paramedics and park staff responded to the incident and transferred the victim via LifeFlight to a Level 1 Trauma Center. The patient is undergoing treatment for their injuries in a Seattle hospital. To protect the victim’s privacy, park officials said identifying details will not be released at this time.
Rangers began searching for the cougar immediately following the incident. A canine team joined the search at around 5 p.m. the same day. Rangers located the cougar shortly after the canine team joined the effort but did not kill the animal until Monday morning.
The incident is still under investigation, and park officials said no additional information or photos are available at this time.
Witnesses to the event are being asked to call 888-653-0009 or email nps_isb@nps.gov.