The Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Wildlife Forensics Lab analyzes samples to match mountain lion DNA

GEORGETOWN — A mountain lion attack on Saturday, March 23rd, resulted in the death of a 21-year-old male and serious injury to his 18-year-old brother. According to a press release by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the brothers had been antler hunting in a remote area of El Dorado County near Georgetown. The younger brother was able to dial 911 after sustaining injuries, but the older was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders. The incident marks the first confirmed fatality caused by a mountain lion in California since 2004.

Fish and Wildlife immediately authorized a professional trapper to locate and euthanize the mountain lion, and the task was carried out hours after the incident. The next day, the department’s Wildlife Forensics Laboratory was able to confirm that DNA collected from the euthanized mountain lion matched DNA found at the site of the attack. The mountain lion was an approximately 90-pound male and seemed to be in a healthy condition. Continuing Fish and Wildlife analysis will aim to determine if an underlying condition caused the behavior.

Fish and Wildlife issues the following guidance for mountain lion encounters:

Stay alert on trails. Keep pets leashed and walk with small children; don't let them run ahead.

Never approach a mountain lion. Give them an escape route.

DO NOT RUN. Stay calm. Do not turn your back.

Face the animal, make loud noise and try to look bigger. If with small children, put them on your shoulders.

Do not crouch down or bend over.