A seven-year-old boy is recovering in hospital after being mauled by a cougar while on a family camping trip on Vancouver Island Wednesday night.
RCMP Cpl. Glen Caston said the family was camping just off Sproat Lake near Port Alberni in an area called Snow Creek when the cougar grabbed the boy at around 8 p.m.
The boy’s father helped scare the big cat away.
The youngster suffered some cuts, but his injuries are not life threatening. He remains at West Coast General Hospital.
Police said there have not been other reports of cougar attacks in the area.
Conservation officers will be at the site Thursday looking for the animal.
The family was not staying at a designated campground.
