Local News

Cougars A Growing Concern

A local wildlife biologist is concerned that an injured cougar could pose a threat to people in the southwest Bend area. Last week there were several cougar sightings in the Deschutes Riverwoods area. On Friday evening sheriff's deputies were again called to the area when a cougar approached a home. Deschutes County officials say deputies feared the cougar was dangerously close to people so they made the decision to shoot the big cat with lethal force. The cougar was hit, they believe, but ran from the area and hasn't been found. District Wildlife Biologist with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife says with earlier cougar sightings, the animal wasn't showing aggressive behavior. So prior to this weekend he didn't have concerns for human safety. Most of the concern was associated with pets, being cats and dogs, that is probably what it was being used for foraging, but, much more dangerous towards people he says people in the area should be on the lookout for cougar tracks, scat, and carcasses and if you go out in the woods, go out in pairs, keep your kids close by. Have them play in groups. If you come across a cougar, speak up, act big, and leave the area, but don't turn and run.

 

 

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