01 February 2023 , 16:21
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A savage mountain lion attack has left a child injured in a trauma centre after they were out playing in a park.
The mauling happened on Tuesday evening in Pico Canyon Park, San Mateo County, California, US, which is 40 miles south of San Fransisco, after police were called to reports of a mountain lion attack.
San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office said they were "dispatched to a report of a mountain lion attack and we can confirm a child was transported to a local trauma centre after the attack."
Emergency services were called to the scene to find the child conscious but quickly rushed the victim to hospital as police refused to elaborate on the extent of the injuries.
The sheriff's office said the whole community has been left in shock after the vicious attack.
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A mountain lion attacked a child (ABC News)In a statement they said: "Our coastal community has endured so much these past few weeks.
“Our entire agency is saddened of this news and sends many warm wishes to the child for a speedy and full recovery. Our thoughts are with the family at this time."
One of the neighbour's of the family, whose child was attacked, Chad Conover said the family seemed pretty calm considering the mountain lion attack.
Police were called to reports of a mountain lion attack in California (ABC News)He revealed: "They were pretty calm when I pulled up, they're my neighbours so I asked them if they were okay.
"They said everybody's fine, but they had to talk to fish and game, and a warden pulled up right as I pulled out.
"Typically the mountain lions avoid people, so it's not often you hear about an attack on a human."
Mountain lion attacks on humans in California are rare as they live in a range of habitats such as deserts and forests.
However, the last reported attack happened in the same park where the child was mauled yesterday.
The child was rushed to hospital following the mauling (ABC News)The incident happened in September last year when a puma mauled a 7-year-old boy in Pico Canyon Park in Los Angeles County.
According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, there have been 21 other known attacks.
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The US Forest Service said the population of mountain lions in California is estimated to be between 4,000 and 6,000
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed they are investigating the incident with the whereabouts of the mountain lion still unknown.