A quiet northwest Oklahoma City block turned into a mini wildlife watch on Friday when a bobcat padded through backyards near NW 122nd Street and Rockwell Avenue, sending neighbors scrambling to pull pets inside and rewind security camera footage. Neighbors told News 9 they were rattled by the sighting. Resident Michelle Arzaga Kooy said she is now nervous about letting her three dogs stay outside, while Erik Meyer told the station he has already lost three cats that he suspects may have fallen prey to a bobcat. Their accounts circulated quickly on neighborhood channels, sparking a wave of extra caution on the block.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation notes that bobcats are native to the state and are comfortable in everything from wooded areas and creek corridors to the edges of suburban neighborhoods. They tend to be most active at dawn and dusk, hunting rabbits, rodents, birds and other small animals. The agency describes them as secretive and generally wary of people, though sightings can tick up in the spring when mothers are raising kittens or young cats are dispersing to find new territory.
In comments to News 9, wildlife officials said bobcat populations are not exploding across Oklahoma and that a routine sighting usually does not need to be reported. They urged pet owners, however, to keep cats and other small animals indoors or in secure enclosures during the prime hunting hours of dawn and dusk, and to remove easy food sources such as uncovered pet food or unsecured small livestock pens.
Neighbors Tighten Routines
Residents in the affected area said the unexpected visitor has them tightening up daily routines. Neighbors reported checking and reinforcing fences, picking up outdoor food dishes and clearing out heavy brush where animals might hide.
This is not the first time the area has had a brush with wild predators. In December 2023, KOCO reported that a northwest Oklahoma City neighborhood dealt with a similar round of alerts after reports of both a bobcat and a coyote, with homeowner associations sending out warnings to residents.
What Residents Should Do
Wildlife officials advise sticking to practical, low-drama precautions. Keep small pets and backyard poultry in sturdy, enclosed structures, especially overnight and during early morning and evening hours. Remove outdoor pet food, unsecured compost or other items that could attract prey animals and, in turn, hungry bobcats.
If a bobcat is spotted, officials say the safest move is to give it space and let it leave on its own rather than trying to follow or corner it. Any animal that appears injured, unusually tame or aggressive should be reported through the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's reporting page or to local animal control authorities for follow up.
