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Thousand Oaks Today
By the People, for the People
Woman dies from rattlesnake bite 5 days after rescue on Calif. trail
Ventura County has seen a spike in rattlesnake incidents since mid-March.
Mar. 26, 2026 at 11:18pm
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A 46-year-old woman from Moorpark, California has died after being bitten by a rattlesnake while hiking in Wildwood Regional Park in Thousand Oaks. Emergency responders rescued her from the trail on March 14, but she succumbed to the venom five days later on March 19. Ventura County has seen an increase in rattlesnake bite incidents in recent weeks, with four reported since March 14, though fatal snake bites remain incredibly rare nationwide.
Why it matters
This tragic incident highlights the potential dangers hikers face from wildlife encounters, especially as warmer weather brings more snakes out of hibernation. It also raises awareness about the importance of trail safety and first-aid preparedness when enjoying the outdoors.
The details
Gabriela Bautista was hiking on a trail in Wildwood Regional Park when she was bitten by a rattlesnake. Emergency responders were dispatched and airlifted her to a nearby hospital, but she died five days later from rattlesnake venom toxicity. Ventura County has seen a spike in rattlesnake incidents, with four reported since March 14, though fatal snake bites remain incredibly rare nationwide, with only about five deaths per year in the U.S.
- On March 14, emergency responders were dispatched to the trail in Wildwood Regional Park for a 'remote rescue' after Bautista was bitten by a rattlesnake.
- Bautista died on March 19, five days after the incident.
The players
Gabriela Bautista
A 46-year-old resident of Moorpark, California who died after being bitten by a rattlesnake while hiking in Wildwood Regional Park.
Ventura County Fire Department
The agency that responded to the emergency call and airlifted Bautista to the hospital after she was bitten by the rattlesnake.
James Baroni
A senior medical examiner with the Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office who confirmed Bautista's cause of death as 'rattlesnake venom toxicity'.
Andrew Dowd
A spokesperson for the Ventura County Fire Department who provided details about the department's response to the incident and offered safety tips for hikers.
Nick Ferrari
A ranger with the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency who manages the Wildwood Regional Park area where the incident occurred and provided context on the rarity of serious rattlesnake bite incidents in the region.
What they’re saying
“This is the time of year when there is the potential for these interactions between animals and people in the outdoor space.”
— Andrew Dowd, Ventura County Fire Department spokesperson
“It's incredibly rare, to be honest.”
— Nick Ferrari, Ranger, Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency
“[Rattlesnakes] are pretty docile, unless you mess with them. If they feel threatened, that's when they would strike.”
— Nick Ferrari, Ranger, Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency
What’s next
Authorities will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates on any further rattlesnake incidents in the Thousand Oaks area.
The takeaway
This tragic incident serves as a reminder for hikers to exercise caution and take proper safety precautions when enjoying the outdoors, as even rare wildlife encounters can have devastating consequences.
