An eight-year-old girl suffered serious facial injuries and a broken arm after being attacked by a puma during a hike in a private reserve in Alto Paraíso de Goiás.
The incident took place on Thursday, May 14, at the Santuário Volta da Serra near Cachoeira do Cordovil. The girl from Brasília was hiking with her parents to celebrate her birthday. Her father fought the animal while a guide threw a backpack to drive it away.
She received initial care at the Hospital Municipal de Alto Paraíso and was transferred to the Hospital Regional da Asa Norte in Brasília. Surgery took place on Friday, May 15, and her condition is stable.
The reserve management activated its emergency plan, temporarily suspended visits, and is cooperating with authorities. Firefighters could not use air support due to nighttime restrictions.