Moorpark Woman Dies After Rattlesnake Bite at Ventura County Hiking Trail

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — A 46-year-old woman from Moorpark died five days after being bitten by a rattlesnake while hiking at Wildwood Regional Park in Thousand Oaks, authorities said.

Gabriela Bautista was hiking on a trail at the popular park around 11:40 a.m. on March 14, 2026, when she was bitten, according to the Ventura County Fire Department. Paramedics provided lifesaving measures at the scene and airlifted her via helicopter to Los Robles Regional Medical Center for treatment. She died on March 19 from rattlesnake venom toxicity, the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death accidental.

The incident is part of a notable increase in rattlesnake activity in Ventura County. Fire department officials reported at least four rattlesnake bites since March 14 — already approaching or exceeding the total of nine bites recorded for all of 2025. A teenage girl was also bitten on March 20 while cycling on the Wendy Trail in nearby Newbury Park; she survived after receiving treatment.

Experts attribute the early surge in snake encounters to unseasonably warm weather and heat waves that have disrupted the snakes’ normal brumation (winter dormancy) period, bringing them out earlier than usual. Similar warnings have been issued across Southern California amid reports of increased sightings and other bites, including a fatal incident in Orange County earlier in the year.

Ventura County Fire Department spokesperson Andrew Dowd and wildlife officials have urged hikers and outdoor enthusiasts to remain vigilant.

“Give snakes plenty of space and let them move on,” officials advise. Key safety recommendations include:

Staying on established trails and avoiding tall grass, brush, or rocky areas where snakes may hide.

Wearing sturdy boots and long pants for protection.

Never attempting to handle, provoke, or remove a rattlesnake.

Being especially cautious during warmer periods when snake activity increases.

Wildwood Regional Park, which features about 17 miles of trails, is a popular destination for hikers but is located in rattlesnake habitat common to the region.

This is the second reported fatal rattlesnake bite on a Southern California hiking trail in recent weeks. Health authorities note that while most bites are not fatal with prompt medical care, venomous snakebites still require immediate emergency treatment.

Officials continue to monitor the situation as warmer spring weather is expected to sustain elevated snake activity in the area. Hikers are encouraged to check local trail conditions and heed posted warnings.