Last week, officials reported that a mountain lion approached a rafting group camped at the edge of the Salt River and attacked a 64-year-old man.

During the mountain lion’s attack, 10 other campers tried to fight the animal off by using their rafting paddles. The mountain lion was eventually kept at a distance and the campers were able to get to their rafts where they were safe from the animal.

Gila County Animal Care & Control Officers; San Carlos Game and Fish; White Mountain Apache Tribe and Arizona Game and Fish were called and began searching in the area. The mountain lion is currently remains at large in the area and a search for the animal is underway with hound dogs.

Officials are concerned the mountain lion has rabies and is informing the public that it is crucial to take additional precautions, such as avoiding wildlife and other unknown animals that may have been exposed to rabies. It is important to refrain from feeding wild animals ad to follow the following simple precautions to reduce the risk of exposure to the rabies virus:

• Avoid domestic animals that are acting strangely or odd.
• Instruct children to avoid approaching any non-domesticated animal regardless.
• Advise children to tell an adult if they are bitten or scratched by an animal.

If you see a sick or dead animal, or an animal acting abnormally in the area, report it to Gila County Animal Care & Control at 928-425-5882.