SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - The mountain lion euthanized by California Department of Fish and Wildlife wardens is the same animal responsible for attacking a boy at Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve, CDFW announced Friday.
The 4-year-old boy was among 11 people hiking the North San Diego County trail Memorial Day when the 80-pound female mountain lion attacked him.
Wardens who went to the scene found the animal’s tracks and encountered it moments later. The mountain lion appeared to have little fear of humans: an abnormal behavior, CDFW said.
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“The wildlife officers immediately killed the animal to ensure public safety and to collect forensic evidence to potentially match the mountain lion to the victim,” said CDFW officials in a news release.
City park officials closed the trail for the public’s safety.
DNA analysis from the boy and samples from the animal confirmed the euthanized mountain lion was responsible for injuring the boy.
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Friday, San Diego park rangers confirmed Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve was open to the public.