In a tragic incident in Georgetown, California, a young man of 21 years lost his life to a mountain lion attack, leaving his 18-year-old brother with severe injuries. The siblings were engaged in antler shed hunting in the secluded wilderness of Northern California when they encountered the mountain lion on a fateful Saturday afternoon, approximately 40 miles northeast of Sacramento.
The attack led to the brothers being separated. In a desperate bid for help, the younger brother dialed 911 at 1:13 p.m., alerting authorities to the dire situation. Responding swiftly, deputies initiated a search at around 1:46 p.m. Upon locating the older brother, they found the mountain lion still ominously close to him. Law enforcement officers were compelled to fire shots to deter the mountain lion, enabling them to approach and attempt to provide aid.
Despite their efforts, it was too late for the older brother, who had already succumbed to his injuries inflicted by the mountain lion. The younger brother, who sustained traumatic facial injuries, was promptly transported to a local hospital for treatment. The identities of both brothers have been kept confidential by the authorities.
Following the incident, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, along with the El Dorado County Trapper, were called to the scene to track down the mountain lion responsible for the attack. The animal was subsequently located and neutralized by wildlife officials.
Mountain lion attacks on humans are exceedingly rare, with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife reporting only 13 such incidents in the state since 2004, including this tragic event. Of these, only one other attack, occurring in 2004 at the Whiting Ranch Regional Park, resulted in a fatality. In total, California has witnessed only three fatal mountain lion attacks on humans since 1994.
This incident serves as a somber reminder of the unpredictable nature of wildlife and the importance of exercising caution when venturing into their habitats.