An Arizona woman has died from injuries sustained from an elk in her backyard, marking what is believed to be the first fatal elk attack in the state’s recorded history.
In the quiet community of Pine Lake, nestled in the Hualapai Mountains about 15 miles southeast of Kingman, Arizona, the incident occurred on October 26, 2023.
The victim, whose name has not been disclosed, was discovered by her husband with severe injuries.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department reported that the injuries were consistent with an elk trampling. The presence of numerous elk tracks and a spilled corn bucket at the scene led investigators to believe that the victim could have been feeding the wildlife.
The woman was initially taken to Kingman Regional Medical Center for urgent care. Due to her critical injuries, she was later taken to Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas and subsequently put into a medically induced coma. Despite medical efforts, she passed away on November 3, 2023.
The incident has prompted the Arizona Game and Fish Department to issue warnings against feeding wild animals, stating that such practices can lead to dangerous habituation of wildlife to human presence, increasing the potential for conflict.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department continues to investigate the incident and examine measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.
Residents of communities near wildlife habitats are urged to report any aggressive behavior observed in wildlife to local authorities or the Arizona Game and Fish Department. These measures are essential in maintaining the safety of communities and preserving the balance between human and wildlife cohabitation.