A mountain lion suspected of attacking a four-year-old boy has been killed by wildlife officers.
The child was taken to hospital and treated for non life-threatening head injuries after Monday's incident in San Diego, California.
Officers are hoping they targeted the correct lion and DNA tests will be carried out to determine the facts.
The boy was with six adults and four other kids at the Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve.
But the group had 'scattered' at the time of the attack, reports said.
A news conference heard how the dad threw rocks before the lion left the scene, Sky News reports.
Wildlife officers then discovered mountain lion tracks a few hours after the incident was reported.
"While they were at the scene, the mountain lion came to the location about 7pm at night," Lt Scott Bringman said.
"The animal did not appear to be scared of the wardens, which is an indication the animal is habituated, so at that point in time, the animal was euthanised."
Lt Bringman added: "Hopefully, we do have the animal which did attack the kid."
Investigators will examine the boy's clothing and bandages for the lion's DNA.
The preserve is closed while tests are being carried out.
Attacks are rare in San Diego and reports say it has been 20 years since a mountain lion attacked a human.
