On a quiet Sunday evening in Malibu, California, an 11-year-old girl faced a terrifying encounter when a mountain lion attacked her while she was feeding chickens outside her home on Pacific Coast Highway.

The cougar emerged suddenly from nearby bushes, clamping its jaws on her arm and causing injuries to her arm, leg, and lower back. Her family quickly rushed her to a hospital, where she is now recovering, according to reports from KTLA and CBS News.

The incident, which occurred around 5:45 p.m., prompted a swift response from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Within an hour, officers tracked and euthanized a young male mountain lion found near the property. DNA samples were collected from both the victim and the animal to confirm its involvement in the attack. Mountain lions, weighing up to 150 pounds, are known for their reclusive and territorial nature, making such attacks rare but alarming, as noted by the National Parks Service.

This shocking event follows another recent mountain lion attack on a 4-year-old in Washington’s Olympic National Park, highlighting the unpredictable nature of wildlife in areas where urban and natural environments intersect. Authorities advise facing a mountain lion head-on, appearing large, and backing away slowly to avoid provoking an attack. If more such incidents were to occur, increased public awareness and safety measures could become critical.

Malibu, still recovering from devastating wildfires that destroyed hundreds of structures, now faces this new challenge. The girl’s recovery and the community’s response underscore the need for vigilance in areas where wildlife and humans coexist.