In a stunning story from California, a five-year-old boy survived a freak mountain lion attack. The youngster, Jack, was outside in San Mateo, California, with his mom when a mountain lion attacked them out of nowhere. The boy and his mother reportedly fought back tooth and nail against the big cat, saving Jack’s life but leaving him with several injuries.
News of the story spread quickly after Jack’s aunt, Amie Wagner, posted a GoFundMe asking for donations to help pay for Jack’s medical bills. “That mountain lion picked the wrong kid and mama to mess with,” Wagner wrote on the fundraising page. According to Wagner, Jack suffered a fracture near his eye, lacerations across his face, and various other cuts, scratches, and bruises from the brief battle.
Child Survives Harrowing Battle with Wild Animal
The fundraiser page explains that Jack was walking out near his family’s farm in Half Moon Bay, California, when a mountain lion pounced on him. The boy, who his family describes as “tough” and “adventurous,” reportedly wrestled the big predator to the ground and, with help from his mother, battled it off until it fled.
“He is the most courageous, adventurous little guy I have ever met and I am not surprised that if there was a kid who could wrestle a mountain lion and come out on top, it would be Jack,” the GoFundMe page reads. While Jack’s injuries aren’t critical, his family hopes to raise $10,000 to cover his medical bills.
Animal Control Seeking Offender
Mountain lion attacks are notably bizarre–the creatures don’t tend to get involved with humans. As such, animal authorities in California are now searching for the offending mountain lion to protect other residents of the state. While Jack and his mother were strong enough – and lucky enough – to drive it away, others might not be so fortunate. As such, Capt. Patrick Foy of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife says that finding the animal is currently a top priority.
“I’m just very glad that little boy is going to be okay,” Foy told reporters. Thankfully, Jack’s injuries, while serious, are not life-threatening. He will likely make a full recovery from the incident. On the bright side, he will have the coolest story of any student in any California classroom if his schoolmates ask him how he got his facial scars. Not many kindergarten students can say that they’ve wrestled with a mountain lion and won.
