DNA Test Reveals Mountain Lion That Attacked Boy Near Cupertino Is Male
SAN MATEO COUNTY (CBS SF) -- Test results reveal the mountain lion that attacked a 6-year-old boy near Cupertino on Sunday is a male.
Saliva was taken from the boy's shirt for a DNA test. It could help searchers who are trying to find the big cat in the Picchetti Open Space Preserve.
California Department Fish and Wildlife wardens deployed infrared cameras overnight, but did not find the mountain lion.
On Tuesday morning, a mountain lion and three cubs were reportedly spotted near Woodside, to the north of where Sunday's attacked happened.
Fish and Wildlife officials also said they found tracks and scent evidence suggesting that the lion followed the boy and his family back to the car following the attack.
The boy was discharged Monday morning from Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, a day after he was admitted in serious condition to the center's pediatric trauma unit.
The boy was hiking about 10 feet in front of his family around 1 p.m. at the Picchetti Ranch Zinfandel Trail in the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District when the mountain lion jumped and attacked him from a hidden position, according to Lt. Patrick Foy of the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The lion bit down firmly on the boy's neck and head and started to drag him away into some brush, Foy said.
Two men ran toward the lion while shouting aggressively and the cat let the boy go and ran away.
"These animals are quite powerful and absolutely cold have killed this little boy, so he's very lucky to be alive," Foy said.