4-year-old child attacked by mountain lion on family hike at Olympic National Park

A 4-year-old child was attacked by a mountain lion while hiking with their family at Olympic National Park in Washington state, officials said.

The lion bit the child on Sunday afternoon on a popular hiking trail near the Victoria Overlook area on Hurricane Ridge in the park, according to the National Park Service.

The child was airlifted to a Seattle hospital where they are being treated for their injuries. Their condition was not immediately clear.

Park rangers, assisted by a canine team, immediately began searching for the cougar, which was fitted with a tracking collar, the NPS said.

The rangers tracked down and killed the mountain lion on Monday, ensuring there is no additional threat to the public.

This incident remains under investigation, officials said.

Officials said they would not be identifying the child to protect their privacy.

Mountain lions, which can weigh up to 150 pounds, are known for being one of the most reclusive animals in US forests as well as for being extremely territorial, according to the NPS.

If approached by the big cats in the wild, officials recommend facing the animal head-on, trying to appear as big as possible while slowly backing away.

Attacks on humans are very rare.

They typically hunt elk and deer, but may also eat smaller mammals and rodents or even fish.