A popular trailhead east of Apache Junction has reopened after being temporarily closed due to a rare wildlife incident involving multiple hikers.
According to Arizona’s Family, the Peralta Trailhead in Gold Canyon was shut down after an adult bobcat attacked three separate hikers in the area earlier this week. The incidents prompted an immediate response from the Tonto National Forest and the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
AZFamily.com reported that the hikers sustained minor injuries, including scratches and bites to their hands and legs. While bobcats are native to the area, attacks on humans are extremely uncommon, making the incidents particularly concerning for land managers and outdoor recreationists.
Wildlife officials were able to locate the bobcat, which was later euthanized and sent for rabies testing as a precaution, AZFamily.com reported. After confirming there was no ongoing threat to public safety, forest officials reopened the trailhead the following day.
The Peralta Trailhead provides access to several well-traveled routes in the Superstition Mountains, an area frequented year-round by hikers, trail runners, and visitors exploring Central Arizona’s desert landscapes.
Officials are reminding trail users to remain aware of their surroundings, keep pets leashed, avoid approaching wildlife, and report any unusual animal behavior to authorities. While encounters like this are rare, they serve as an important reminder that recreation in wild spaces comes with shared responsibility.
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