TWO INCIDENTS OF WILDLIFE IN PRESCOTT VALLEY HAVE POLICE ASKING RESIDENTS TO USE CAUTION.

ON JULY 18TH, TWO PEOPLE REPORTED THEY WERE APPROACHED BY A MOUNTAIN LION IN THE AREA OF TONTO PARK NORTH AROUND 9:30 P.M. NEITHER WAS INJURED AND THE LION QUICKLY LEFT THE AREA.

ON JULY 20 AT 6 P.M., RESIDENTS REPORTED AND VIDEOTAPED A YOUNG BLACK BEAR WALKING THROUGH DRIVEWAYS IN CASTLE CANYON MESA, IN THE AREA OF EAST COPPER HILL AND N. KINGS HIGHWAY WEST.

THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISH ADVISES THAT IF A LION OR BEAR 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, THAT COULD TRIGGER THE ANIMAL'S CHASE INSTINCT.

THE ARIZONA GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT 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. GO TO AZGFD.COM.