A tragic incident unfolded in a remote area of Georgetown, California, on Saturday, as a mountain lion attacked two brothers who were out antler shed hunting. The 18-year-old man called 911 around 1:13 pm to report the attack, stating that he and his 21-year-old brother had been mauled by the mountain lion. Deputies and paramedics arrived on the scene, finding the 18-year-old with traumatic injuries to his face. The brothers were separated during the attack, and the deputies located the 21-year-old on the ground next to the crouched mountain lion. In a desperate attempt to save the victim, the deputies fired their guns to scare off the mountain lion, but tragically, the man was pronounced dead.

This marks the first fatal mountain lion attack in California in 20 years, with the last confirmed fatality occurring in 2004. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed that the DNA samples collected from the scene matched those taken from the mountain lion's carcass, identifying it as the same animal responsible for the deadly attack. The 90-pound mountain lion was euthanised near the scene, and further analysis will determine if it had any underlying health conditions.

Authorities expressed astonishment at the rarity of this incident, as mountain lion attacks on humans are extremely uncommon. Josh Rosenau, from the Mountain Lion Foundation, emphasized that these animals are typically not a threat to humans and recommended making oneself appear larger if encountering a mountain lion. El Dorado County advises against running from a mountain lion and suggests fighting back if attacked.

The tragic loss of life in this mountain lion attack has left the community in shock, highlighting the importance of being cautious when in areas where these wild animals roam. The injured brother is expected to make a full recovery after undergoing multiple surgeries for his injuries. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of wildlife encounters and the importance of taking precautions when exploring remote areas.