The Prescott Valley Police Department is asking residents to use caution after two recent wildlife sightings in the community.
On Monday, May 27, several people reported a juvenile black bear near Roberts Market located at 6450 Viewpoint Drive. Upon the response of officers, the bear fled westbound into the field adjacent to Winchester Drive and Arizona Game and Fish was notified. Later that evening the juvenile bear was spotted again in the Granville subdivision east of Glassford Hill Road jumping block wall fences. Arizona Game and Fish was notified again, responded to the location, and took over the investigation.
That evening, a mountain lion was spotted by officers at Fain Park located at 2200 N. 5th Street. The mountain lion was observed but did not pose a threat to anyone at this location.
The Arizona Department of Game and Fish advises that if a bear or mountain lion approaches a person they should:
- Not approach the animal
- Make themselves as large and imposing as possible
- Stand upright and wave your arms, jacket, or other items
- Make loud noises, such as yelling, whistles, and banging pots and pans, and throw stones or branches without turning your back to scare the animal off
- Never run, which could trigger the animal’s chase instinct
The Arizona Department of Game and Fish has resources on its website that outlines lion and bear behavior as well as what people should do if they see or encounter a lion or a bear:
https://www.azgfd.com/wildlife-conservation/living-with-wildlife/living-with-mountain-lions/
https://www.azgfd.com/wildlife-conservation/living-with-wildlife/living-with-bears/
If anyone notices wildlife acting aggressively toward people, or there has been a human-wildlife interaction, please call the Arizona Department of Game and Fish dispatch center at 623-236-7201 and an officer will respond and/or investigate the incident.
