COTTONWOOD, Ariz. — A 12-year-old boy is unharmed after encountering a mountain lion while hiking by himself in a forest area in Cottonwood, according to authorities.
The Cottonwood Police Department said the encounter happened Sunday in an area west of Chuckwalla.
The boy quickly called emergency services for help, with Cottonwood officers along with the Yavapai Sheriff's office jumping into action to find him.
"The Cottonwood Police Department commends the bravery and calmness displayed by the young hiker during this harrowing experience," the police department said in a news release.
Using his GPS coordinates, officers were able to find the boy and successfully led him out of the forest to safety.
"The effective and swift response of Officers Perez and Schoemaker played a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of the juvenile," police said.
The boy was then reunited with his mother.
Police offered some safety tips for hikers:
- Hike in groups and make noise to reduce the chance of surprising wildlife.
- If you encounter a mountain lion, do not run. Instead, stand tall, wave your arms, and speak loudly.
- Always inform someone about your hiking plans and expected return time
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12 News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.
Watch 12News+ for free
You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere thanks to the 12News+ app!
The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.
Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives.
Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for "12 News KPNX."
Amazon Fire TV: Search for "12 News KPNX" to find the free 12News+ app to add to your account, or have the 12News+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app.
More ways to get 12News
On your phone: Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.
On your streaming device: Download 12News+ to your streaming device
The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.