A six-year old child was attacked by a wild mountain lion while hiking in Cupertino, California on Sunday. Although the unidentified boy did not incur any life-threatening injury, all trails to the park were closed that afternoon as authorities attempted to search for the animal.

The Sherrif's Office of Santa Clara County received the information reporting the attack at around 1 p.m.

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Spokesman Sgt. Kurtis Stenderup said that 20 deputies and park rangers worked together to close off the trails leading to the area just two miles off from the Picchetti Brothers Winery, a popular picnic and camping ground.

Officials from the state's Department of Fish and Wildlife were put in charge of the search for the mountain lion, as well as to take appropriate measures to capture the big cat when tracked. They will also decide the animal's fate if it is successfully caught.

They cautioned the public from entering the hiking area as the search for the animal is ongoing.

The six-year-old boy was hiking with his parents on a trail along Montebello Road. Officials are still looking into the exact details that prompted the attack. Preliminary reports show that the mountain lion dragged the boy behind the bushes before he was pulled free.

The boy was brought to the Valley Medical Center, where he was treated for minor injuries he incurred from the sudden attack.

Stenderup said that it is common for them to receive calls regarding mountain lion sightings in the area. However, these calls are mostly limited to seeing the wild animals crossing the street or wandering into a residential area.

On the other hand, attacks on humans are extremely rare. Hence, an unprovoked attack on a child is almost unheard of.  

Investigations are still ongoing to find out what caused the big cat to attack the boy. 

TagsMountain lion attack, hiking trails, Cupertino, pichetti brothers winery