2 brothers attacked by mountain lion in California 'driven by nature', family says

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

The attack by the large American wild cat took place in a remote forest area about 15 miles north of Placerville, a small city located about halfway between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe.

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

"Taylen Brooks tragically lost his life during 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 mauling occurred.

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

He was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of "traumatic injuries to his face," the Reno Gazette Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network reported.

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Mountain lion that killed Taylen Brooks was fatally shot by wildlife officials

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

At the time, officials said, they did not know if the man was still alive, so they fired a shot "in a safe direction" and the mountain lion ran off.

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

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

How big are mountain lions?

Sometimes called pumas and panthers, mountain lions usually weigh between 75-175 pounds and grown adults can stand as tall as 30 inches in height and 8 feet in length, according to the National Park Service.

The largest ever to be documented weighed 276 pounds, the U.S. federal agency says on its website. They mostly feed deer, according to wildlife experts, but eat other animals including elk and mice.

'Outpouring of support and prayers from family'

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

"We would like to express our sincere thanks for the outpouring of support and prayers from family, friends and the community," a part of the statement reads. "We are all devastated by the tragic loss of Taylen yet thankful Wyatt is still with us and are well aware the outcome could have been worse."

As of Tuesday, the sheriff's social media post that identified the brothers drew hundreds of comments.

"Our deepest sympathies to the Brooks family," one Facebook user posted. "What heroes these boys are, fighting for one another to the end. Lord, please bring comfort to this family and to Wyatt as he heals. ."

Another user posted: "Praying for peace and deepest condolences to your family. There are no words to express how this has ripped our community apart. ."

'Two brothers driven by nature'

The siblings, family said, grew up in El Dorado County and "lived a full energetic life enjoying the outdoors."

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

His surviving brother, enrolled in a local fire academy since September, aspires to join The (California) Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) when he graduates, his family wrote.

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

A memorial service for Taylen Brooks was pending Tuesday, his family wrote.

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How many fatal mountain lion attacks has California recently had?

Mountain lion attacks are uncommon, wildlife experts said, and most confirmed attacks with 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 took place in 2004 at a regional park in Orange County and involved a 35-year-old man.

Only two other reported fatal attacks have taken place in the state over that past two decades. One also took place in 1994 in El Dorado County when a 40-year-old woman was killed at Auburn state recreation area.

Contributing: USA TODAY's Ken Alltucker and Jeffrey Meehan with the Reno-Gazette Journal.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.