A bobcat taking a nap on a backyard wall in Rancho El Dorado is serving as a reminder for Maricopa-area residents to be cautious around wildlife. The sighting was shared July 14 by resident Mike Peprah on a local Facebook page, according to InMaricopa.
The post drew quick reactions from neighbors, some of whom said they had seen bobcats in nearby areas as well. The neighborhoods sit next to open desert, where wildlife sightings are not unusual.
Arizona Game and Fish spokesperson Alexandra Flickinger said bobcats may move into residential areas during the summer in search of shade or water. She noted that bobcats are found throughout Arizona and typically eat birds, lizards and small mammals.
Flickinger said residents should try to keep bobcats from staying in neighborhoods. She said people can make noise, shout, bang something loud or, from a safe distance, spray them with a hose. She also advised against leaving out food or water sources, keeping pets supervised outdoors and never feeding wild animals.
While bobcat attacks on people are uncommon, Flickinger said they can pose a risk to domestic animals.
