KINGMAN, Ariz. — *Editor's Note: The above video is from an earlier broadcast.*
A woman was attacked by a bobcat earlier this week as she was going for a walk in a community southeast of Kingman, according to the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
The woman and a friend were approached by the bobcat Wednesday night in the Atherton Acres community and as they backed away from it, the bobcat clawed and bit the woman's leg, AZGFD said.
The woman went to Kingman Regional Medical Center to receive treatment for her injuries.
A bobcat acting aggressively was located and removed the following day in the general vicinity of the attack. AZGFD still encourages surrounding residents to report any wildlife acting aggressively by calling 623-236-7201.
When bobcats attack in this manner, rabies is often involved, AZGFD said.
Game and Fish encourages Arizonans to enjoy wildlife safely from a distance and to not make attempts to feed or touch unfamiliar wildlife, even if the animal looks sick or wounded.
UP TO SPEED
What is the Valley?:
“The Valley” is what locals call the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. It is considered the largest metropolitan area in the Southwest.
The Valley is made up of various major cities other than Phoenix, including:
- Mesa
- Chandler
- Scottsdale
- Tempe
- Glendale
- Surprise
- Peoria
- Gilbert
- El Mirage
- Avondale
- Litchfield Park
- Goodyear
- Buckeye
Whether a city is in the “East Valley” or “West Valley” depends on where it is in relation to Phoenix.
The cities of the Valley have a combined population of 4,845,832 people, according to the 2020 United States Census. This makes it the 11th largest metropolitan area in the country right behind the Boston and Atlanta areas.
How big is Maricopa County?:
Maricopa County is the United States’ 4th largest county in terms of population with 4,485,414 people, according to the 2020 Census.
The county contains around 63% of Arizona’s population and is 9,224 square miles. That makes the county larger than seven U.S. states (Rhode Island, Delaware, Connecticut, Hawaii, New Jersey, Massachusetts and New Hampshire).
One of the largest park systems in the nation is also located in Maricopa County. The county has an estimated 120,000 acres of open space parks that includes hundreds of miles of trails, nature centers and campgrounds.
The county’s seat is located in Phoenix, which is also the state capital and the census-designated 5th most populous city in the United States.
The county was named after the Maricopa, or Piipaash, Native American Tribe.