Posted on 05/19/2008 9:19:01 PM PDT by NRA2BFree
Wildlife officials are still trying to figure out what kind of animal attacked Jose Salazar Jr. in the Sandia Mountains Saturday evening.
The 5-year-old suffered a torn scalp and puncture wounds around his neck and arms.
He underwent surgery at the University of New Mexico Hospital and is expected to fully recover.
Now officials want to know if he was attacked by a mountain lion, bobcat, or bear.
Rio Grande Zoo mammal curator Lynn Tupa has a few ideas about what could have mauled Salazar.
She said it was most likely a mountain lion.
"It was probably an immature cub on his first year out trying to go hunting on his own. He's been hungry, not finding a lot of prey -- it's been awfully dry in some areas. I'm sure he's not finding the normal prey and the young boy probably looks like something he could handle," Tupa said.
Tupa said the type of injuries Salazar suffered are consistent with a mountain lion attack.
"Mountain lions, to kill any of their prey, they'll go for a bite on the back of the head and the neck area," Tupa said.
But bobcats also go for the back of the head and neck when attacking.
(Excerpt) Read more at koat.com ...
Thank God his parents were able to get him away from the mountain lion. I heard their police call and it was very frightening.
“He underwent surgery at the University of New Mexico Hospital and is expected to fully recover.”
I would echo you. Thank God.
Shew...I had feared the worse...
As a parent...I cant bear to even read these stories sometimes...
And people wonder why we carry guns...
Amen to that! A good outcome for what could have been a real tragedy.
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