LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) – Arkansas is home to all different types of wildlife, but it can be alarming when one of them crawls into your backyard.
That’s what happened to one woman in the Walton Heights neighborhood in Little Rock when a bobcat decided to stop by for a bit.
"We actually live in, in many ways, an urban forest. Especially as you get on the western reaches of town,” said Trey Reid.
Trey Reid with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission said it is not unusual to see bobcats in the city, especially during this time of year.
"We have a really healthy bobcat population in the state. They roam toward town instead of the other way,” Reid said.
He said when you encounter one, most of the time they are harmless.
"Bobcats are going to seek things like small mammals. Chipmunks, mice maybe a squirrel,” Reid said.
He said if you have pets, there is not much to worry about.
"They're really not seeking your pets but if you're concerned and you've seen an animal like that keep it inside but chances are that bobcats going to move on down the road,” Reid said.
Walton Heights is also covered with wooded area. Reid said because it is near the Little Maumelle River, sometimes wildlife can make their way into people’s backyards.
“We’ve captured black bears within the city limits of Little Rock in the past. Chances are you probably won’t see it much more after this incident,” Reid said.
Reid said the warmer weather can also bring more animals out.
“As temperatures moderate. Wildlife will move. You’ll have often times a young male of various species strike out to declare their territory,” he said.
So, the next time you see an animal like a bobcat show up near your home, Reid said the best thing to do is to just leave it alone.
"Most of the time those animals are just going to move on their way. You shouldn't be that alarmed. We're basically in that area where the wild landscape and the civilized landscape come together,” Reid said.