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Family says two brothers were attacked by a mountain lion in California ‘driven by nature’

In what California officials are calling a horrific attack, law enforcement on Monday released the identities of two brothers who were mauled by a mountain lion while hiking over the weekend – one of whom died from his injuries.

The attack by the large American wildcat occurred in a remote wooded area about 15 miles north of Placerville, a small town about halfway between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe.

Taylen Robert Claude Brooks, 21, was killed and Wyatt Brooks, 18, was injured in the 1 p.m. attack in the small community of Georgetown, the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office released in a statement on social media.

“Taylen Brooks tragically died in the mountain lion attack and Wyatt Brooks is recovering from the traumatic injuries he sustained in the attack,” the sheriff’s office wrote on its Facebook page, which included photos of the brothers.

The siblings are from Mount Aukum, California – about 35 miles south of where the abuse occurred.

Taylen Brooks, 21,Taylen Brooks died on March 23, 2024 in a mountain lion attack in El Dorado County, California.  Caption * 175 of 270 recommended characters left.Taylen Brooks, 21,Taylen Brooks died on March 23, 2024 in a mountain lion attack in El Dorado County, California.  Caption * 175 of 270 recommended characters left.

Taylen Brooks, 21,Taylen Brooks died on March 23, 2024 in a mountain lion attack in El Dorado County, California. Caption * 175 of 270 recommended characters left.

Wyatt Brooks became separated from his older brother during the attack and called 911 around 1:13 p.m., the sheriff’s office reported.

He was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of “traumatic facial injuries,” reported the Reno Gazette Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network.

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The mountain lion that killed Taylen Brooks was fatally shot by wildlife officials

Shortly after 1:30 p.m., officers from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and El Dorado County responded and found the large American wild cat crouching next to Taylen Brooks’ body, the sheriff’s office wrote in the statement.

At that point, officers said they didn’t know if the man was still alive, so they fired one shot “in a safe direction” and the mountain lion ran away.

When rescue workers reached him, they said he was already dead.

Wildlife experts then tracked the animal to a tree it had climbed, the sheriff’s office wrote, and killed it.

How big are mountain lions?

According to the National Park Service, mountain lions, sometimes called cougars and panthers, typically weigh between 75 and 175 pounds. Adult lions can reach up to 30 inches in size and 8 feet in length.

The largest specimen ever documented weighed 276 pounds, the federal agency says on its website. According to wildlife experts, they feed primarily on deer, but also eat other animals, including elk and mice.

A male mountain lion is photographed in 2022.A male mountain lion is photographed in 2022.

A male mountain lion is photographed in 2022.

“Outpouring of support and prayers from the family”

The sheriff’s office released a statement from the family online after the attack:

“We would like to express our sincere gratitude for the support and prayers of our family, friends and community,” part of the statement read. “We are all devastated by the tragic loss of Taylen, but we are grateful that Wyatt is still with us and realize the outcome could have been worse.”

Statement from the family of Taylen Robert Claude Brooks, 21, and Wyatt Brooks, 18, two brothers who were attacked by a mountain lion on March 23, 2024 in El Dorado County.  Taylen Brooks died as a result of the abuse.Statement from the family of Taylen Robert Claude Brooks, 21, and Wyatt Brooks, 18, two brothers who were attacked by a mountain lion on March 23, 2024 in El Dorado County.  Taylen Brooks died as a result of the abuse.

Statement from the family of Taylen Robert Claude Brooks, 21, and Wyatt Brooks, 18, two brothers who were attacked by a mountain lion on March 23, 2024 in El Dorado County. Taylen Brooks died as a result of the abuse.

By Tuesday, the sheriff’s social media post identifying the brothers drew hundreds of comments.

“Our deepest condolences go out to the Brooks family,” wrote one Facebook user. “What heroes these boys are, fighting for each other until the end. Lord, please bring comfort to this family and to Wyatt as he heals.”

Another user wrote: “Praying for peace and deepest condolences for your family. There are no words to express how this has torn our community apart.”

“Two brothers driven by nature”

According to the family, the siblings grew up in El Dorado County and “led full, energetic lives and enjoyed the outdoors.”

Taylen Brooks was described by family as a kind, gentle person who enjoyed fishing and playing the guitar. He worked with his father, Aaron, painting houses and cutting firewood.

His surviving brother, who has been enrolled in a local fire academy since September, plans to join the (California) Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) after graduation, his family wrote.

Taylen Brooks, 21, left, and his brother Wyatt Brooks, 18, were attacked by a mountain lion on March 23, 2024, in El Dorado County, California.  The older brother died in the attack.Taylen Brooks, 21, left, and his brother Wyatt Brooks, 18, were attacked by a mountain lion on March 23, 2024, in El Dorado County, California.  The older brother died in the attack.

Taylen Brooks, 21, left, and his brother Wyatt Brooks, 18, were attacked by a mountain lion on March 23, 2024, in El Dorado County, California. The older brother died in the attack.

“A brother is a friend given by nature. These two brothers were driven by nature,” the statement continued.

A memorial service for Taylen Brooks is scheduled for Tuesday, his family wrote.

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How many fatal mountain lion attacks have there been in California recently?

Wildlife experts say mountain lion attacks are rare and most confirmed attacks involving big cats and humans are not fatal.

According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the last fatal mountain lion attack in the state occurred in 2004 at a regional park in Orange County, involving a 35-year-old man.

Only two other reported fatal attacks have occurred in the state in the last two decades. Another such case occurred in El Dorado County in 1994, when a 40-year-old woman was killed in the Auburn State Recreation Area.

Contributors: USA TODAY’s Ken Alltucker and Jeffrey Meehan of the Reno-Gazette Journal.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mountain lion attack in California: Family identifies abused brothers