Officials say a cougar attacked a seven-year-old boy near Quesnel, B.C., on Saturday afternoon. (Canadian Press)

Conservation officials in B.C.'s central Interior are praising a mother who saved her young son from a cougar attack in a popular hiking area.

At approximately 4 p.m. Saturday, a mother and her two children were enjoying an afternoon hike near Pinnacles Provincial Park, just outside the city of Quesnel.

Officials say the cougar pounced suddenly on a seven-year-old boy, who was walking just ahead of his mother and little brother.

"He turned to look back at his mother and the cougar jumped on his back [and] knocked him to the ground," said conservation officer Mike Krause.

"[The] mother, of course, immediately rushed in. The cougar saw the mother coming and immediately broke off the attack and … ran off."

Another hiker stepped in and helped the family get away.

The little boy needed stitches for scratches to his cheek, ear and back, Krause said, adding, "Anybody that gets attacked by a cougar is lucky to come away with minor injuries."

Rare incident

The park, approximately 120 kilometres south of Prince George, remained closed Wednesday while officials worked to track and capture the animal with snares and traps.

The attack and response happened so quickly, Krause said, the mother wasn't able to give any details about the cougar, such as size or age.

Krause said officials don't know why this cougar attacked, but they are praising the mother of the victim.

"She did what mothers will do and that's protect their children … without hesitation," Krause said.

Cougars are common in the area, he said, but attacks are rare.

"Particularly in the Quesnel area, this is the first recorded cougar attack on a human. It's very rare."

The family has asked that their name not be released.