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Law enforcement officials were called to the Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park in Orange County, California, on January 20 after a mountain lion attacked a 3-year-old boy who was on a hike with his family.

The Orange County Fire Authority gave approval to the Department of Fish and Wildlife to euthanize the animal due to public safety concerns, and the boy was taken to a local hospital, where he was in stable condition.

California resident Ryan Lynch captured this footage of the lion holding a backpack after the incident occurred. Lynch said people at the scene saw the lion attacking the child before his father threw a backpack at the animal, causing it to release the child and grab the backpack.

Lynch and his wife stayed and watched the cat until officials arrived. Credit: Ryan Lynch via Storyful