Mom Fights Off Mountain Lion With Bare Hands To Save Her 5-Year-Old Son

A California mother rushed into action to save her five-year-old son from the jaws of a mountain lion. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife said that the young boy was playing in his front yard in Calabasas when he was attacked by a mountain lion. The animal dragged the boy roughly 45 yards before his mother intervened.

"She ran out of the house and started punching and striking the mountain lion with her bare hands and got him off her son," California Department of Fish and Wildlife spokesman Patrick Foy told the Associated Press. "The true hero of this story is his mom because she absolutely saved her son's life."

The boy suffered injuries to his head, neck, and chest, and his parents rushed him to the hospital. He remains hospitalized in stable condition.

After learning of the attack, wildlife officers were sent to the family's home and found the mountain lion hiding in the bushes.

"During a protocol clearing of the family's yard, the wildlife officer at the home discovered an aggressive mountain lion crouched in the corner of the property. Due to its behavior and proximity to the attack, the warden believed it was likely the attacking lion and to protect public safety shot and killed it on site," the agency said in a press release.

Two other mountain lions showed up at the property while the officers were still there. One of them was wearing a radio tracking collar. The officer tranquilized and captured the untracked mountain lion. After confirming the lion was not responsible for attacking the boy, it was released in a safe area. Officials said the other mountain lion had no history of attacking humans and had vacated the neighborhood.