Arizona Woman Dies in State's First Fatal Elk Attack; Officials Warn Against Feeding Wildlife

Woman trampled to death by elk in Arizona's first known fatal elk incident succumbed to injuries in hospital after eight days; Arizona Game and Fish Department urges public to avoid feeding wild animals as it leads to dependence and aggressive behavior.

An Arizona woman was found trampled in her backyard, next to a bucket of spilled corn, suggesting she may have been trying to feed the elk that attacked her. Her unnamed, she was initially taken to the Kingman Regional Medical Center and then transferred to Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas. There, she was placed in a medically induced coma due to the extent of her injuries and passed away eight days after the incident.
This incident marks the first fatal elk attack in Arizona's history, though there have been five reported elk attacks in the state over the past five years. Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) became aware of the incident only a day after it occurred when a local resident informed a department officer.
After the incident, AZGFD officers directly alerted residents of the Pine Lake community by going door-to-door with warnings and advisories against feeding wild elk, also posting roadside warning signs.
Conflict between humans and wildlife, as the AZGFD stated, primarily stems from feeding, which leads to animals losing their natural fear of humans and becoming dependent on artificial food sources. Earlier incidents involving habituated elk include two children in 2015 and a woman in 2021 suffering injuries.
The Clark County Coroner’s Office has classified the death as an accident. AZGFD reiterated warning that feeding wildlife puts at risk not just the person feeding the animal, but also their neighbors and the wildlife itself. The department will continue to monitor elk activity in the area.