Tag: california state parks

WOODLAND HILLS—On Sunday, September 1, a 5-year-old child was attacked by a mountain lion while picnicking with family and friends. Children were together nearby when the mountain lion attacked. He grabbed the child by his head and began to drag him off when his father quickly intervened. The child was reportedly air-lifted to an area hospital for treatment.

Photo by Marek Okon

One of the child’s relatives first told KTLA that,

“Somebody screamed the baby’s name, and his dad started running,” she explained. “The father grabbed the mountain lion with his hands, and he just fought. Then the mountain lion let go.”

Canyon News reached out to California State Park Rangers for more information. The Communications Manager of the California Department of Fish And Wildlife responded with the following statement.

“California State Parks (State Parks) rangers and Los Angeles County Sheriff Deputies responded to a report of a mountain lion attack at Malibu Creek State Park on Sunday, September 1, at 4:21 p.m. California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) wildlife officers, National Park Service personnel, and Los Angeles Fire and Rescue also responded.

A family group from Woodland Hills was having a picnic at Malibu Creek State Park, consisting of at least six adults and a few children. The children were playing in the immediate vicinity of the family’s picnic table when a mountain lion attacked a 5-year-old boy, causing significant but non-life-threatening injuries.

One or more adults charged at the lion, and it released the boy. Multiple witnesses saw the attack and observed the mountain lion climb up a nearby tree.

The lion remained in the tree until [the] State Parks rangers arrived. In consultation with CDFW wildlife officers, they deemed the mountain lion a threat to public safety and a ranger euthanized it via firearm.

The boy was airlifted to the Northridge Hospital Medical Center for treatment of his injuries and was eventually released in the early morning hours of Monday, September 2.

Per standard protocol, wildlife officers contacted the victim and family at the hospital to obtain evidence samples from the bite and scratch wounds and the victim’s clothing. Those evidence samples were confirmed DNA match by CDFW’s Wildlife Forensic Lab in Sacramento.

CDFW and State Parks officials are thankful that the family is safe, and the child is recovering and no one else was injured.”

By Sharon

MALIBU—On December 30, the Ventura County Emergency (VC Emergency) information source announced a flood advisory issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) that was in effect until December 30, at 11:00 a.m. PST for southwest California, including portions of southern Los Angeles County and eastern Ventura County.

In addition, VC Emergency announced evacuations for residents bordering the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) from Seacliff Avenue South to Emma Wood Group Camp. As of December 30, at 2:50 p.m., these evacuations were lifted.

Flood warnings remain for the PCH, into the area of the Santa Monica Mountains and North of Malibu in the Canyon News coverage area along with the aforementioned areas of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. 

High Surf Warnings are still in effect. VC advises residents, and those traveling in these areas, and North of Malibu to avoid all coastal jetties and piers. Due to high waves that could wash people off the jetties and rocks without warning, and rip currents that increase the risk of drowning.

The following beaches and piers are closed through December 31, 2023, due to flooding and possible beach erosion, especially during high tide each morning.

All California State Parks, Ventura State Beach, All City of Ventura public beaches, Ventura Pier, All City of Oxnard public beaches, Port Hueneme Pier, Faria Beach, the Rincon Parkway RV area, Kiddy Beach, Silverstrand Beach, Hollywood by the Sea, McGrath State Beach, Mandalay State Beach, San Buenaventura State Beach, and Emma Wood Campground are all closed.

Channel Islands Harbor Entry and Ventura Harbor Entry are closed.

The following information came directly from the VC website. Those with questions regarding the presence of sandbags are encouraged to contact the City Corporate Yard at 1060 Pacific Avenue in Oxnard, or call (805)385-7950.

Sandbags can be expected from Ventura-Marina Park at 2950 Pierpont Boulevard in Ventura through to the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 10 W. Harbor Boulevard, and to Fire Station 25 located at 5674 Pacific Coast Highway.

By Sharon

MALIBU—The Resource Conservation District of Santa Monica Mountains (RCDSMM) held a public meeting on June 17 to receive community feedback about the Topanga Lagoon Restoration Project’s proposed construction plans. 

The Topanga Lagoon Restoration Project is a multi-agency effort with goals of protecting and restoring biological and cultural resources, creating more coastal access, and proactively addressing the effects of sea level rise. This includes protecting the habitats of endangered species and preserving sites of indigenous culture.

The Topanga Lagoon is located at the base of Topanga State Park and Topanga Beach. The Restoration Project site spans into the jurisdiction of California State Parks, CalTrans, and LA County of Beaches & Harbors. 

“Wetlands in California have really disappeared quite a bit. We’re down to 5% of what was historically present in California,” said Danielle LeFur, a Senior Environmental Scientist with California State Parks Angeles District.

According to RCDSMM, the Lagoon’s mix of salt and freshwater habitats “act as a natural filtration system to protect water quality, and also hosts some of the rarest of fish and wildlife species.” Endangered species of fish such as the tidewater goby and steelhead trout are present in the lagoon, although “at very low levels.” Other species such as nesting birds, western pond turtles, and two-striped garter snakes also inhabit the greater area.

Once spanning over 30 acres, the lagoon is currently only half an acre and its mouth near the ocean has been downsized due to development. LeFur says the area has been “severely degraded” and “is not very conducive for a lot of wildlife.” Flooding due to rising sea levels is expected to negatively impact the lagoon over the next 30 years.

Jon Ota, an environmental scientist with California State Parks, introduced four alternatives of the Topanga Lagoon Restoration Project that officials are considering.

Alternative One is to end the project entirely, which would negatively impact the environment of the lagoon but keep all of the existing infrastructure. 

Alternative Two focuses on “maximizing the lagoon,” which would expand the habitat from half an acre to 10 acres while adding an acre to the sandy beach area. This option would impact the historic Topanga Ranch Motel, possibly resulting in relocation.

Alternative Three is considering the option that “maximizes historic resources on-site,” primarily focusing on restorations at the Topanga Ranch Motel, turning the buildings into a functioning overnight location, staff offices, or another “interpretive opportunity.” Some of the units at the motel will still be removed due to unstable foundations. This would limit the habitat area to seven acres.

Alternative Four “maximizes sea level rise resiliency,” which calls for realigning the bridge on Pacific Coast Highway over the lagoon. The sandy beach area would gain two more acres, the habitat area would account for seven acres, and the motel would be partially restored. 

All four of the alternatives include plans to expand the existing bridge over the lagoon on PCH from 79 feet to 460 feet.

Officials are in the process of receiving public feedback about each option and have not honed-in on a particular alternative to recommend.

“State Parks and Beaches and Harbors and CalTrans, none of the entities have a preferred preference at this point because as we talk about them we see there’s pluses and minuses of each,” said Jamie King, an RCDSMM Conservation Biologist. 

“We want to hear the public’s voices before these decisions are made, so this is a true public process,” King continued.

William Alford, a Topanga resident, was concerned about restoration plans that may impact local businesses in the area.

“I’ve heard a lot of talk about the Topanga Ranch Motel, and about the burial grounds that we want to protect, all of these heritage resources,” said Alford. 

“My question is what about the businesses that are here in play today? We’re losing our local restaurants, we’re losing the places that are our heritage, the places that we gather, the places that we exchange ideas. What are we going to do to preserve places like the Reel Inn that offer us still that unique experience that ties us to our past?”

“There will be opportunities to relocate certain businesses in certain other areas but it is very possible that there will be a loss as well depending on the alternative that is selected,” LeFur said in response.

LeFur also confirmed that the expansion of the Lagoon would not disturb residential properties nearby, but construction would temporarily affect traffic on PCH for options two, three, and four.

The next phase of the Topanga Lagoon Restoration Project will be the drafting of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) where members of the public will have another chance to weigh in at a public meeting. A preferred alternative will also be selected. According to the project timeline, The EIR will be completed by 2024. Construction is set to begin in 2026. 

By Paige Strickland