Adult punches mountain lion in ribs to save 6-year-old girl from attack, officials say

Officials are looking for a mountain lion that attacked a 6-year-old girl at a park in Cupertino, California, multiple news outlets are reporting.

According to the Sacramento Bee, the incident happened Sunday morning as a group of visitors walked in Rancho San Antonio County Park and Open Space Preserve. The animal "came out of the bushes and ... grabbed a hold of the girl," Ranger Brad Pennington told KGO-TV.

An adult who was with the group punched the mountain lion, striking its ribs, the outlets reported. The girl suffered minor puncture wounds, officials said.

Authorities have closed the park until they find the animal, the outlets reported.